I-Team Extras: Secrets in the Soil
Sep 2, 2008 7:51 pm US/Eastern
I-Team: Granite Countertops Might Contain Radon
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
If you have a kitchen or bathroom that was constructed within the last ten years, there's a good chance it has countertops made of granite. In fact, granite is one of the most popular home improvement choices for South Florida homes. And in recent years, the basic beige and black colors have given way to the new exotics; many granite and marble stores now carry unique stones with beautiful shades of blue, green and orange veins.
At Miami's C and C Marble, owner Carlos Perez says that the unusual colors are helping the granite business continue to thrive and at Miami's Santa Rosa Marble, lower granite prices have encouraged many consumers to purchase the stone for their homes. Owner Ruben Perez says "it used to be more expensive but now it's more affordable to regular customers".
But now some scientists say that your granite countertops might contain high levels of deadly radon gas.
"The rock contains uranium and as the uranium decays, it forms radon, which is a gas," said University of Miami Science Professor James Englehardt
Scientists know that long-term radon exposure can cause lung cancer and that children are especially vulnerable. When a recent New York Times article claimed that one family actually had to remove its countertops because of deadly radon levels, Florida's Department of Health began receiving about a dozen calls a day from worried residents.
Many asked whether they should have their granite tested or even removed. However, spokesperson Clark Eldredge says that Florida has not documented any cases of radon-contaminated granite. He says residents should not be overly concerned about their granite and while he says that it is theoretically possible to have radon-contaminated granite in your home, you are more likely to have radon from the soil beneath your home.
Radon is a real threat; the EPA claims that one in fifteen homes nationwide is estimated to have elevated radon levels. It can also be a problem in schools and workplaces.
Clint Davis, at Clean Air Technology, agrees. He points out that while it's a plausible scenario to imagine that household granite contains excessive amounts of radon, radon would most likely enter a home through the soil, concrete or other building materials.
The EPA recommends every home is tested for radon each time it is sold or after major structural renovations. You can have your home tested by a professional or you can purchase a home-test kit at a local hardware store. If you get a 'high' home-test reading, experts say you should then have your home professionally tested. If you continue to see high readings, the EPA suggests you then have a professional install a specialized venting system that can reduce your home's radon gas to a safe level.
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