Is Granite Causing Health Issues

On one side is that dangerously high levels have been found in some countertops while arguments on the other claim that the amount of radon emitted is very small relative to radon that may occur in homes otherwise.

Is granite causing health issues.

Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family s health. Granite countertops pose health risks the health wyze report front page. At issue is whether some granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radiation especially the gas radon which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon originating from the soil beneath homes is a more common problem and a far larger public health risk than radon from granite building materials.

Vermont uses the federal osha standards for its workplace safety rules. The national occupational safety and health administration osha is using the studies that indicate a silica cancer link as it develops new worker safety standards for the granite industry and other occupations said william perry deputy director for health standards at osha. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in america and. But granite isn t always the best material out there for the job.

Whether granite countertops could cause lung cancer due to the emission of radon gas has been a matter of some debate. Granite comes in a variety of colors and patterns has few seams and creates a beautiful substantial look in the kitchen. At issue is whether granite emits dangerous amounts of radon a colorless and odorless gas that is known to cause lung cancer. To reduce the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon.

However the safe level of radon exposure is not yet known to man. Neglecting this fact is quite difficult. In july 2008 the new york times published an article that raised public concern over potential health hazards of living around granite countertops and floors. Critics say that the amount of radon gas emitted by granite countertops is insignificant and is not capable of causing any health problems or damage.

Granite countertops have been one of the more popular options for kitchens in the last 10 to 15 years.