Can Granite Cause Cancer

Not really says mike brennan a radiation health physicist with the washington state department of health in olympia.

Can granite cause cancer.

After all radiation has the potential to cause cancer and birth defects. Granite countertops are prized for their durability and beautiful appearance but they can give off radon gas that could potentially be higher than the levels considered safe. Radon released from granite building materials can be released over the lifetime of use but typically will be diluted by ventilation. Radon is a cancer causing natural radioactive gas that you can t see smell or taste according to the environmental protection agency.

And radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon is a cancer causing natural radioactive gas that you can t see smell or taste the environmental. Granite countertops emit an insignificant amount of radon gas that is not high enough to cause cancer or any other serious health issues.

In addition to radon naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can. The epa lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non smokers estimating it is responsible for about 20 000 lung cancer deaths every year. Concern has been raised over the levels of radon gas emitted by granite and its potential harm to homeowners with. Granite is an increasingly popular choice for countertops due to its classy yet natural look as well as its durability.

This allegation has been mostly made by competing countertop material distributors. At issue is whether some granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radiation especially the gas radon which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Whether granite countertops could cause lung cancer due to the emission of radon gas has been a matter of some debate. Radon gas is a radioactive element and is a leading cause for lung cancer.

On one side is that dangerously high levels have been found in some countertops while arguments on the other claim that the amount of radon emitted is very small relative to radon that may occur in homes otherwise. If present uranium thorium or radium will decay into radon a colorless odorless radioactive gas that may cause lung cancer. But marble manufacturers say flat out that radiation in granite is not dangerous. But can a granite countertop emit enough radiation to pose a health risk.