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Granite Counter Tops and Radon Gas

By Ray Toscani

Home Inspector with 1st Choice Inspection Services Ltd.

September 18, 2008 05:52 AM

I was at an inspection the other day and the purchaser was very concerned about an article she had read relating to radon gas in granite countertops. It seems that she had wanted granite counter tops for years and when her and her husband were looking for a new home, granite counter tops were at the top of their wish list. Unfortunately, during the purchase process she had run across one of the many articles that indicated that granite out-gasses radon.

For those of you who haven't run across this, Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas, which is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil. Radon can be found in high concentrations in rock and soil that contains granite, shale, phosphate and uranium. The lower mainland is actually in a high Radon zone when compared with other parts of the country, Health Canada, (www.hc.sc.gc.ca) has a map available showing general levels by area.

Granite counter tops and Radon gas have been a hot topic in the U.S. for much of this year, so much so that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) released a report on July 25 that clarified some of rumors and misinformation that have been circulating in print and on TV.

The basic message of the report was that while natural minerals such as granite may occasionally emit radon gas, the levels of radon attributable to such sources are not typically high. EPA believes the principal source of radon in homes is soil gas that is drawn indoors through a natural suction process. The EPA did however; concede that further testing is needed and that they will continue to monitor the issue.

As for my client I recommended a Radon test, as they are relatively inexpensive and the peace of mind will be priceless.

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Nance Burdette

Keller Williams Realty Partners - Spartanburg, SC

Congratulations...and Welcome on signing as a new member of ActiveRain. Being a new member myself going on my fourth week and only posting a few blogs so far, I truly see the awsome advantage that this truly can be; (and it's fun) and only the beginning of a healthy and wealthy relationship of abundant professionals. Everyone has been so very kind. And so much to read!!! Hope to see your blogs in the future. Best of Luck to all of us, Nance

Sep 18, 2008 01:04 PM

P G

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

I see that you are new to Active Rain and I just wanted to welcome you. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do and that you find it a great resource.

Sep 19, 2008 08:32 AM

Anonymous

Ray Toscani

Thank you for the warm welcome, both of you! This is a great site, the amount of useful information is phenomenal (I just have to be careful I don't stay here reading all day... I'll never get anything done)

Sep 19, 2008 08:42 AM

Garren Grup

John R. Wood REALTORS - Naples, FL

REALTOR, ABR, CNE,CDPE, GRI, Naples & Bonita Springs, FL

I was in the industry for 6 years before I got into real estate in 2002. Any potential Radon level is going to vary widely not only between various colors but even in the same color depending on where it was mined. Most of the material i comes in from over sees because it's difficult for us to mine it cost effectively in comparison to China, Sri Lanka, Africa, South America and so on. I breathed in the dust all day long, every day of my life for 6 years and many of my employees had been doing the same for at least twice that long. Some of there families had worked in the quarries and never had any of the health issues that could potentially be associated with Radon. I think at that level of exposure we had in comparison to just having it on your counter could suffice as a tested and proven product. Not to mention that it's unmatched in natural beauty, versatility, durability and function

PS - Was the stone tablet you mentioned on my blog granite? ..Man your arm must be sore! LOL

Sep 19, 2008 04:12 PM

1st Choice Inspection Services Ltd. - Port Coquitlam, BC

It was Garren... just call me Fred.

Sep 19, 2008 05:12 PM

Larry Estabrooks

Independent Real Estate Agent - Moncton, NB

100% representation means NEVER DUAL AGENCY !

Hello Ray and welcome to Active Rain.

Since you're in Canada, I'm inviting you to join an active|rain group, one comprised of your fellow Canadians who are also blogging on Active|Rain , the Canada, ehgroup - http://activerain.com/groups/Canada. When I log in on ActiveRain.com, I always check the Canada, eh group first to read the Canadian perspective since Canadian bloggers are so much easier to find on the group home page. And please include any of your posts with a Canadian angle by also posting them to the group.

Should you decide to join the Canadians, then let me say "Welcome!"
Larry, group founder and moderator, Moncton, New Brunswick

Sep 23, 2008 02:16 PM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Welcome to ActiveRain Ray.

Radon is one of the risks of homeownership that is rarely thought about during a purchase. "Levels vary widely not only from area to area, but even from house to house", at least according to this report.

Where we are in the Metro Vancouver area, the report says, "Elevated levels of radon are less likely in BC's coastal regions" (Vs. "the interior and east of the Coast Mountain Range").

Without compromising the confidentiality of any clients, I would be interested to know if you have had interesting findings anywhere in the Lower Mainland contrary to the report? Thanks.

Also, I appreciate your comment on my blog post and have responded to you. I hope to see you in the Tri-Cities.

Oct 05, 2008 06:59 AM

Thanks for visiting John, I'd take the comment "Levels vary widely not only from area to area, but even from house to house", further and add "from hour to hour." There are two types of radon tests; one is a snapshot and the other and continuous monitoring over 5 to 7 days. The latter does a better job of identifying if there really is a problem.

As radon is a gas it's really not only the levels being produced in the area but also the venting (or conversely containment) within the house that come into play. It's a catch 22, not unlike air pollution. The more government and industry do to reduce air pollution (which should be a good thing) the less screening there is from the sun in the atmosphere which results in global warming. In the case of radon in homes where we see problems most is in somewhat older homes that have been retrofitted to reduce energy loss i.e. reduced air flow. This usually takes the form of sealing cracks around doors and windows without any thought of increasing air intake into the house via a heat exchanger. This tends to increase the levels of radon gas.

Oct 06, 2008 05:24 AM

Angela Reeves

Royal LePage West Real Estate Services - Coquitlam, BC

Such good information - I'm sure sooner or later a client will be asking me that exact thing, and now I'll know what to say!

Nice to read a post from a near neighbor!

Nov 18, 2008 01:12 PM

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