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Do Some Granite Counter Tops Emit Radon Gas?

By Ginger Moore

Real Estate Agent with Wilkinson & Associates Realty

October 05, 2009 12:56 AM

Do Some Granite Counter Emit Radon Gas?

Yes they do. Not all granite counter tops emit this radon gas, but if you have them in your kitchen, you should check and see if they are emitting radon gas. It is very simple to find out if they are doing this. Just go down to your local Home Depot, Lowes or any hardware store, and get a radon gas kit tester. It can tell you immediately if these coutertops are indeed emitting radon gas. These kits usually sell for around $20 to $30. This is a small price to pay, for peace of mind. It is very important to test for this radiation, because radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Children and a developing fetus are extremely susceptible to this radiation. You may also find granite used in building fireplaces. Please test any area that granite is used in your home. Since we know it can cause lung cancer, and harm developing children, please use caution if you are pregnant and have granite coutertops.

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Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Miranda, Yes it is true. We had a speaker at our CE class last year that told us about this. He also said that radon was really prevalant in a granite fireplace sometimes. So it is good to check this granite, with a radon kit, just to be safe.

Hi Laura, Glad to see that someone else is aware of this. We must educate people about this.

Hi John, I do think it is best to be safe than sorry; so a simple test would be mandatory, if I had these.

Hi Mike, Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I would still want the testing, if I had these in my home.

Thank you all for your comments, and stopping by!

Oct 05, 2009 01:53 AM

Richard Shuman

The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL

Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

I didn't realize granite did that. I not only see granite in most of the homes I list and show, but have granite in my own home as well. You bet I will be checking further into this.

Thanks for this important information!

Oct 05, 2009 02:02 AM

Leander McClain

North East, MD

Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Ginger,

This is interesting and something that I did not know.

Thank you so much for sharing

Leander

Oct 05, 2009 02:06 AM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Richard, Yes our wonderful, extremely knowledgable CE instructor told us of this last year. So do some further checking, if you like. This particular instructor shares lots of great information with us. I should have written this sooner.

Hi Leander, Thank you for stopping by! Yes, I was "floored" when I first heard it; but I know it is true, so if you have these, get the radon kit test.

Oct 05, 2009 02:15 AM

Matt Lateer

Llewellyn Realtors - Rockville, MD

Hi Ginger, I'm curious. Have you ever tested a granite countertop? I would love to know what kind of reading you have gotten. Do you advise your clients against granite? While I'm not sure I will change my business around this factoid, I do find it interesting. Good post...

Oct 07, 2009 11:24 AM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Matt, No, I have never tested them myself. I do not have them in my home. I think they are beautiful; however, if I were to buy a home with granite countertops, I would surely have the granite tested, or test it myself, with the kit that you can buy. You do not have to just rely on what I have said, just google this, and you will find many more blogs about it. To be absolutely sure, you would have to test the counter tops yourself, for complete validity. No I do not advise against these countertops,because some granite does not produce radon gas, but do advise for a new owner to get them tested. We should be educated about the facts, but do the research ourselves, if in doubt about something. We all must be educated consumers. Thanks for stopping by!

Oct 07, 2009 11:07 PM

Satar Naghshineh

Satar - Amiri Property and Financial Services Corp. - Irvine, CA

Hi Ginger - I saw this on the news. Thanks for posting this.

Oct 08, 2009 01:44 PM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Russel Ray, Yes I have heard also, that radon gas can be very prevelant in some basements. We should open windows, periodically, to let this and other gases escape.

Hi Satar, Yes, I also saw it on the news, later. Thanks for stopping by!

Oct 08, 2009 11:11 PM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

HI GINGER! Well, I have granite. Sigh. I will go test it out and let you know the outcome. I heard about this a few years ago and forgot when I had the granite installed. I worry about radon coming in through the soil too. Thanks for more awareness on this topic! -- Gabrielle

Oct 09, 2009 08:50 AM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Gabrielle, Well, I just want us to be educated consumers. You probably have nothing to worry about, but I would get the test kit, and have the granite tested. They are gorgeous, as long as they are not emitting radon gas. Let us know the outcome.. thanks for stopping by!

Oct 09, 2009 01:13 PM

Todd and Danielle Millar

Glenn Simon Inc. - Edmonton, AB

Nineteen years of excellence!

Hi Ginger,

How strange. We have to wonder why so many people are getting cancer and other diseases. I don't know if Radon causes cancer but what else is around us, that is seemingly innocent, is emitting all kinds of radiation?

Thanks for the tip!

Danielle

Oct 12, 2009 12:00 PM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Hi Todd and Danielle, Yes, some of the granite does emit radiation. You just have to get the kit and check yours, if you have them, to see if they are emitting radiation. Yes, they say radon gas can cause lung cancer. Thanks for stopping by!

Oct 13, 2009 01:10 AM

Betina Foreman

WJK Realty - Austin, TX

Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Dear Ginger,

After 6 years in construction, I have never heard of this phenomenon! Thanks for the update!

Betina

Nov 05, 2009 12:51 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Ginger, OK, I know there are no more smokers, but the few that are left are the folks who do need to be especially careful of radon.

Nov 05, 2009 10:41 AM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Betina, Yes, our very reputable CE instructor (Bill Gallegar) told us of this last year. I was just a little slow on writing:) thanks for stopping by!

Patricia, Yes, I agree with you, and this radon gas is pretty prevelant in basements also, as one of the writers pointed out. I suppose there are hidden dangers, lurking everywhere. We just must be pro active in finding these dangers. thanks for stopping by!

Nov 05, 2009 10:25 PM

Sharon Alters

ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Ginger, I first read about this over a year ago - and the article from a NY writer said that it was mostly the new exotic granites that were being imported into the country. The article didn't specifically mention red or black or any color, but it did say that there were some people who were ill and they traced it back to the granite. I don't think anyone with Uba Tuba or other common granites that have been around for years need worry, but to be safe, I would do the test if granite were in my home. Great post!

Nov 12, 2009 12:22 PM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Frank & Sharon, Yes I agree with you totally. I would have the granite checked also, if it were in my home. Also, some fireplaces are made from granite. Those should be checked for radon gas also. Any granite should be checked. Better to be safe than sorry. thanks for your comments!

Nov 12, 2009 12:34 PM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Never knew that some granite emits harmful radon gases. Thanks for the update. Radon remediation systems ususally take care of correcting basement radon problems.

Nov 18, 2009 07:40 AM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Interesting information, I had no idea and I don't think that most people who install granite in their homes would have an idea neither.

Nov 19, 2009 12:37 PM

Ginger Moore

Wilkinson & Associates Realty - Gastonia, NC

Lora, Yes I did not know this either, until last year. Be sure and check your granite, if you do have any, with the radon kit. thanks for your comments!

Silvia, Yes, like I said, I had no idea either. Now we know, so we must be pro active about this. Thanks for stopping by!

Nov 20, 2009 11:22 AM