Natural quartz can emit trace amounts of radon.
Natural stone countertops and radon.
Natural quartz like most other products made of natural stone may have trace amounts of radon escaping from them.
To reduce the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon epa recommends testing all homes for radon regardless of whether the home contains granite countertops.
Homeowners with quartz countertops may or may not be aware of what radon is and how it can affect specific areas of a home but many new or older homes are often tested for it through a home inspector or individual home radon test kits to help alleviate the worries associated with it.
There are many do it yourself radon test kits available through retail outlets and on line starting at about 25.
While natural rocks such as granite may emit radiation and radon gas the levels attributable to such sources are not typically high.
Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation.
These amounts are minimal and well within the maximum radon levels in a home.
Given that soil and rock slowly and naturally emit radon gas some sought.
The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
Granite countertops and radon gas science and technical committee of the american.
April 2014 in order to extract the beautiful granite rock that adorns so many countertops floors and building facades in the united states skilled quarry workers must saw or blast the raw granite into blocks to remove it from the quarry location for further fabrication.
Homes in comparison to those benchmarks.
The radon scare has been an on and off hot subject of contention for some time.
Radon exposure no concern to quarry workers.
Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the epa s safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter of.
Natural stone is a popular choice for countertops in homes throughout the united states.
As well most countertops that are called quartz are actually made of resins glass and quartz that have been sealed during the manufacturing of the.
Natural quartz is the fourth hardest substance on our planet it can emit trace amounts of radon much like any other natural stone product used in replacement countertops tile or hardscape.
Call 1 800 sos radon 767 7236 or purchase do it yourself home radon test kits at home store retail locations or online.