What is radon? A short review. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and can only be detected by specialized tests. Radon enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits. Radon and its decay products release radioactive energy that can damage lung tissue. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States; it is the leading cause for non-smokers. More…

Granite is a natural mineral formed by the earth’s geology. It is mined and used to produce commercial products such as countertops. It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium that can produce radon gas.

There are two ways in which countertops, tiles, and other finishes made of granite might emit any level of radiation. The first is by release of tiny amounts of the radioactive gas radon which can be inhaled; the second is by direct radiation from the surface itself to the homeowner. In both cases, the radiation emitted is from the same process: natural radioactive decay of one element into another. According to the Marble Institute of America in Cleveland, OH, the risk to the home-owner from radioactivity emitted from a granite countertop or tiles appears to be practically non-existent compared to other radiation sources in the home and outside. The Marble Institute goes on to say that the maximum contact radiation level that you would receive over one year, if you were to sit on the countertop all the time, would only be about one quarter of the annual radiation dose from all typical indoor and outdoor sources. More…