Is Granite Causing Health Issues

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.

Is granite causing health issues.

However the safe level of radon exposure is not yet known to man. 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. 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. 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 originating from the soil beneath homes is a more common problem and a far larger public health risk than radon from granite building materials. Neglecting this fact is quite difficult. At issue is whether granite emits dangerous amounts of radon a colorless and odorless gas that is known to cause lung cancer. But granite isn t always the best material out there for the job.

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. Vermont uses the federal osha standards for its workplace safety rules. Countertops that are made from granite may actually be causing health problems as a result of radiation and radon gas exposure. Whether granite countertops could cause lung cancer due to the emission of radon gas has been a matter of some debate.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is estimated to cause tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths in the u s. To reduce the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon. Granite comes in a variety of colors and patterns has few seams and creates a beautiful substantial look in the kitchen. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers.

Granite countertops pose health risks the health wyze report front page.