CLEVELAND, Aug. 8 OH-Marble-Institute
CLEVELAND, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Physics Society (HPS) this
week questioned the science and methodology behind a recent New York Times
article on radon levels in granite countertops.
HPS, a scientific and professional organization whose members specialize
in radiation safety, called the radon levels cited in the article "very odd."
The July 24 New York Times article, "What's Lurking in Your Countertop?,"
reported that a radon measurement contractor stated that exposure from granite
countertops in the kitchen of a summer home in upstate New York were ten times
higher than in other areas of the residence and attributed the elevated levels
to uranium in the granite countertops. The article also reported that radon
levels in the kitchen of the home were reported to be 100pCi/L, compared to
basement levels of 6pCi/L.
In a special bulletin posted on its Web site, HPS strongly took issue with
those numbers, as follows: Assuming a relatively tight house with an air
change rate of 0.5/hr and using average measured dose rates from granite
countertop slabs, the estimated radon concentration in kitchen air would be
0.13pCi/L," HPS said. "This concentration is less than one-eighth the average
radon gas concentration in U.S. homes and is well below the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) guideline of 4pCi/L.
"There are some alerting factors when we see measurements and statements
like this," the bulletin continued. "First, investigation determined that the
measurement procedure was not valid. The procedure used by the contractor was
not appropriate (as per EPA radon measurement methods) and did not provide a
real idea of the amount of radon in the ambient kitchen air."
"Second, even if the measurement had been valid, one measurement result
based on one type of granite countertop in one particular home is not an
indication of radon exposure in any other kitchen with a granite countertop.
What is needed is to measure many types of granite. So some members of the
Health Physics Society did."
"It isn't surprising that granite emits radiation," the bulletin said.
"So do other items in our households. The amount of radiation emitted from
granite can vary depending on the amount of natural uranium and/or thorium
concentration."
The HPS special bulletin reaffirms what a growing number of respected
experts, as well as respected scientific research, have also concluded:
consumers can be confident about the safety of granite countertops in their
homes. Largely because of the New York Times article and similar media
reports, granite and radon have become a confusing and emotional issue for
consumers, many of whom are afraid to install granite countertops in their
homes or are worried about the countertops they may already have. Yet --
according to some of the most noted authorities on granite, radon and risk --
their concerns are unfounded. The bottom line, they agree, is this: When it
comes to countertops, the science proves that there is no reason for consumers
to make health issues a factor in whether they choose granite.
For additional information, and to read the full bulletin and letter from
the President of the Health Physics Society to the New York Times about the
article on radon in countertops, go to http://www.hps.org.
About the Marble Institute of America
For over 60 years the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the
world's leading information resource and advocate for the natural dimension
stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone,
and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers,
distributors, and contractors around the world.
SOURCE Marble Institute of America
