Marble Institute of America: Industry and Professional Resources - Technical Bulletins: The Truth About Granite & Radon/Radiation 9/2005

Marble Institute of America Radon Issue Talking Points

The following messages incorporate the fact that the U.S. EPA has come out with strong statements in support of granite’s safe use in countertops

JUNK SCIENCE SPREAD BY COMPETITORS. Misinformation campaigns questioning the safety of granite has been financed by companies that manufacture synthetic stone countertops who want to scare consumers away from granite.
ONLY REAL STUDIES FINANCED BY MIA. Some critics want to discount scientific studies funded by the Marble Institute of America. But the fact is that no one in academia, science or government has been willing to finance scientific research. If it weren’t for the MIA’s commitment to consumer safety through ongoing research, there would be no real science – only junk science.
CONSUMER REPORTS CONFIRMS SAFETY. Consumer Reports, America's foremost consumer protection institute, recently conducted its own limited independent tests of granite countertops and found no evidence that they pose a health risk. In fact, none of the granite countertop samples tested by Consumer Reports even emitted radon.
RADON EMISSIONS TEND TO BE INSIGNIFICANT. Some types of granite do emit radon gas, but studies found that even the most active samples of granite commonly used in US countertops contribute emissions that are below the levels for EPA-recommended remediation. And most actually fall below what the EPA would consider “background levels” of radon – what we would normally experience in the environment.
SOLUTION TO RADON GAS IS SIMPLE. The EPA’s remedy for radon in the home – a common problem in many parts of the country – is to increase ventilation. Venting, by opening windows or installing a venting system, eliminates high concentrations of radon gas that normally seep into homes through the foundation.
OTHER NATURAL STONE UNAFFECTED. All the rumors and misinformation revolve around igneous stones only. The needless concerns about radon do not involve other types of stone, such as marble, travertine, slate, limestone, soapstone, and others.
IF APPROPRIATE: I would never have installed granite countertops in my own home if I thought they pose any health risk at all.