I was looking at counter tops and kitchen cabinets over the weekend

[Jstas]

One of the sets had a real nice dark blue granite. But my mother freaked out when she saw it and said no way. I asked why and she said that granite emits radon gas. I was like WTF? I didn't believe her at first although chemistry says that it is entirely possible.

So I did some digging. Put "granite countertops radon" in Google and yeah, hundreds of thousands of hits. I tagged the first 3, news reports by ABC, NY Times and another news place.

4th link was this one:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/granite.asp

Good old Snopes. Well, they link multiple sources.

Not all granite counter tops emit radon at an unsafe level but due to the nature of granite, it's likely that they all emit radon at some level.

It's not just counter tops either. If you have granite speakers (don't laugh, they are out there), granite isolation platforms and so on, you could have granite that is at risk to you. If it's outside, not a real big deal. Inside though, get it checked out.

Radon causes lung cancer. there are direct and tested links. Unlike mercury vaccination vehicles, it has connections to autism and other neurological diseases too. So do yourself a favor and get it checked out.

If you do have granite that is a problem but can't afford to replace it with less dangerous granite but want the look, look in to Corian.

http://www2.dupont.com/Corian_Global_Landing/en_US/index.html

It's gotten much better in recent years and they can mimic the look of granite very well. It's just as durable but much easier to repair. It's also about 1/3rd the weight.

If you want stone counter tops, I have not seen as bad things about marble which is just as nice although a different look and unfortunately more expensive. There are ceramics out there that are quite durable and attractive also.

But yeah, that granite problem, if you have it, check it. Seriously.

[xj4094dg]

Wow. Just put in a new floor, counter tops were next. Thanks.

[MikeC78]

I've heard of that before, but I believe the levels are very negligable especially since most of them are sealed. BTW, I thought you smoked anyway?;)

[Mike Kozak]

Take a look at Silestone, my Parents bought that and it is a far superior product than Granite. You can cut right on it, but it will dull your knives!!!

[Jstas]

I've heard of that before, but I believe the levels are very negligable especially since most of them are sealed. BTW, I thought you smoked anyway?;)

Um...no. On both counts.

[cheddar]

Silestone is a good product, it just doesn't have the random patterns you find in granite. I've also heard that quartz is the new trend in counter tops. But granite has really gotten cheap. It's hard to pass up the deals from discount cabinet places.

I guess if you're worried, just buy one of the $20-$30 test kits mentioned in the article. It does say that the problem may be limited to only certain types of granite.

[187CAM]

Corian is pretty cool stuff. You can seam the joints and hardly able to see the seams at all. Get some damn good glasses when looking for them. The repair is simple with an orbital sander like a Rigid 6" with some 320 grit then folloow with something higher like 600. It will polish up nicely.

Marble if you have the money will return the investment later.

[skipf]

Go with granite and don't worry. I've been around granite most of my life, and other than an irresistable craving for new audio gear haven't shown any affects. DO NOT use marble for countertops. It scratches very easily, and any acid like lemon juice or vinegar spilled on it will cause calcification of the surface and ruin the finish and appearance.

[Lowell_M]

I've got a granite countertop being delivered Thursday. Great... Thanks....

Ahhh.. I'm not going to sweat it.

[amulford]

Look into soapstone...

[madmax]

Not all granite counter tops emit radon at an unsafe level but due to the nature of granite, it's likely that they all emit radon at some level.


If you break the granite into little pieces and try to eat it like hard rock candy it will chip your teeth too.
madmax

[AndyGwis]

Now I understand why the boyz in my hood say I shouldn't smoke rock. They must have read the same articles on radon emiting granite.

[MikeC78]

If you think granite is bad, I hope you guys with basements and sumps get your Radon levels checked. I just did, and my levels are insanely high at the moment. Time for a Radon mitigation system and get my sump sealed.

[John30_30]

I used to install Avonite 20 years ago. Back then they were much more realistic looking than Corian, but they're all probably similar in texture and appearance now. Don't know if the different manufacturers will sell it over the counter to anyone, but back then you had to get certification (which was ridiculously easy, assuming you already were a woodworker)

http://www.avonitesurfaces.com/
Finishing it out is similar to automotive I guess, since you take it from a rough 100# or 120# sand all the way to buffing it out to a mirror finish with compounds, rouge, polish, etc. They used special 3M sandpaper that all the grit particles were standardized.
Anyone that's good working with wood can do this stuff, but it's nasty to work with. The glue is nasty, the powder from sanding is filthy and will clog the bearings and brushes in your tools, and routing it used to shock the crap out of me every couple of inches from the static buildup. H-D plunge router is a must-have.
But you can build anything with it you can imagine. Do it right and it's jointless, seamless, just gorgeous.
This stuff or corian could make some crazy-ass speakers, because it all looks monolithic (no seams) if you do it right, and in 1 color.

[Conradicles]

If you break the granite into little pieces and try to eat it like hard rock candy it will chip your teeth too.
madmax

hehe:)

[dorokusai]

If you live a in casket, you will die. Open a window now and then.

I had high radon in the house due to it being locked up for months, home inspector radon check, high, recheck, N/A....many years later recheck, N/A.

Open a window now and then...why not breathe some fresh air? It's not a serious issue for me but is most certainly for some folks.

At least it holds more water than Treitz freaking out about home based vegetable gardens and politics.

[Conradicles]

At least it holds more water than Treitz freaking out about home based gardens.

That is a good one...:D:D:D

[disneyjoe7]

If you live a in casket, you will die. Open a window now and then.

I had high radon in the house due to it being locked up for months, home inspector radon check, high, recheck, N/A....many years later recheck, N/A.

Open a window now and then...why not breathe some fresh air? It's not a serious issue for me but is most certainly for some folks.





I agree, as my thinking was Radon gas in a house is a ventilation issue. I wouldn't be nevus over granite counter tops.

[4406bbl]

I tell you what I heard all the BS about granite and radon, being hard to care for, needs sealing, blah blah blah and I can say it is the single best thing I have ever done, the granite is a dream to care for and live with, never worry about burns or a cutting board I will never buy anything else for the kitchen. Keep in mind granite got real cheap to put in in the last few years so all the other materials like corian are hard to sell. If you like the look buy it you will never be sorry about having granite.

[mmadden28]

...the granite is a dream to care for and live with, never worry about burns or a cutting board I will never buy anything else for the kitchen....

No cutting board? Aren't you worried about the edge on your knives?

[4406bbl]

No cutting board? Aren't you worried about the edge on your knives?

No another wives tale, the edge holds up fine, lets see what else did I hear about granite, vineger and salad dressing will stain and damage it, total BS, maybe if you left it for a week, if you chip it it cannot be fixed, more BS it is easy to fix, it will crack, ya if the cutter was a dipshit,or you beat on it with a hammer, smart installers lay the pattern out so any crack in a slab is waste material, the corian guys like to tell you that water will seep through granite, big problem there wipe it off once a day or week, I clean up my mess when I am done not a week later. Granite is the best, cut on it, put hot pans on it, roll dough, cut cookies on it I would not have anything else.