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Radon and Granite countertops

By Peter W. Bennett

Home Inspector with A Full House Inspection Co. LLC

July 27, 2008 04:47 AM

So, the NYT posts an article about the above. This topic has been around for awhile. While some "reports" and "studies" say it's no big deal, others have found high and unacceptable levels.

Here's the consumer reports blog ; http://blogs.consumerreports.org/hom...ters.html#more

I received a call on Friday from a local home owner who wants me to test her countertops tomorrow.

She read the NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/ga...o_interstitial.

I will followup with the results upon receipt.

Do you have granite countertops?

If so, are you concerned?

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John Walters

Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA

Licensed in Louisiana

Thanks Peter this is the first I have seen of this. I wonder how many people know this is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Jul 27, 2008 04:50 AM

Lynn Afton

Greenridge Realty Oakmont - Big Rapids, MI

REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County

John, you are referring to "radon" and not "granite countertops" I hope?

Jul 27, 2008 04:55 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

This radon question seems to be coming up a lot lately. Like all things there are two sides to everything and the press loves to scare people. No one should make up their mind about radon until they have read this side of the story.

Jul 27, 2008 04:56 AM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

A friend with granite countertops is worried about this. But she lives in Hawaii where the windows are always open (no heat or air conditioning). I don't want to provide assurances I can't back up but I can't imagine how she would have a buildup of any kind of gas with the trade winds constantly flushing her home.

Jul 27, 2008 05:21 AM

Peter W. Bennett

A Full House Inspection Co. LLC - Little Silver, NJ

Good point John, unfortunately, a very small percentage of homeowners even know about radon much less it's effects. The EPA says that 4.0 pci/l is equivalent to 1/2 pack of cigarettes per day.

The good news is all of my clients are briefed about radon, if they have not made up their mind, so they can make an education decision about whether or not to have a test conducted. I never give them biased information and answers. I don't even say "you should" or "you should not" test the home.

Jul 27, 2008 11:14 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Hi Peter, yes I went to SUNY Oswego and then it took me another 18 years to escape:) Skaneateles was as close to Colgate that I got building houses.

Jul 27, 2008 01:45 PM