What the Experts are Saying about Granite

"To get even close to the type of dangerous levels of radon exposure that’s been reported in news articles recently, a consumer would have to completely seal off the room (with the granite) and stay in that room 24/7 for 72 years."
Dr. John McCarthy, president of Environmental Health & Engineering, a public health consulting firm in suburban Boston

"Compared to all the risks in people’s lives, the risk of radon exposure from granite countertops is as close to zero as you could hope to get. Granite is a natural stone and some samples emit a tiny amount of radon. It’s scary for people to hear that, especially when that’s all that’s being reported. But many of the reports are looking past the important scientific facts that show with the dilution of air, any amount of radon coming off the stone is negligible."
Dr. David Ropeick, risk consultant and author

"Based on existing studies, most types of granite used in countertops and other aspects of home construction are not typically known to be major contributors of radiation and radon in the average home."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

"Based on the testing results and EPA standards, we can conclude that the most popular granites used as countertop surfaces pose no health threat to homeowners."
L.L. Chyi, a Ph.D. and professor of Geology and Civil Engineering at the University of Akron in Ohio

"If the stone is properly sealed, there is little likelihood that the granite will cause a radon problem. Even if the countertop is releasing some radiation, that does not mean it will be a radon problem or public health concern. Based on our experience with radon and radiation issues, we would not let this be the deciding factor on whether or not to get granite countertops."
Washington State Department of Health

"Rumors about the safety of granite have been circulated for years. However, the facts remain the same. There is no credible scientific evidence suggesting that granite countertops pose a significant radon risk. There is significant evidence to suggest these baseless allegations about granite stem from efforts by some manufacturers of competing countertop materials to increase their own market share by undermining consumer confidence in the safety, beauty and durability of granite."
John Mattke, co-chair of the Natural Stone Council

"With the concern over the radioactive risk potential of granite countertops, it is important to remember that we are always exposed to a certain level of background radiation. All granite, and most earthen materials, contain trace amounts of uranium and radium, emit gamma radiation and release radon gas. While the Florida Department of Health has never performed a study specifically designed to evaluate any health risks of granite counter tops, staff from the Florida Department of Health's (DOH) Bureau of Radiation Control and from DOH's Radon Program have had the opportunity over the years to survey various granite samples for gamma emissions, including a few granite counter tops, and have yet to find granite thought to be a significant gamma radiation hazard. The term 'significant' is used because there was measurable gamma radiation from the granite as there is always around us, just not at level of concern."
Florida Department of Health

"The amount of radon from a granite countertop is insignificant compared to the radon in the vast quantities of soil and concrete people are exposed to on a daily basis."
William B. Size, Ph.D., Interim Chair, Department of Environmental Studies, Emory University

"The amount of radioactivity in most granite is quite small. While it is possible to get a measurable level of direct radiation from some granite, in general it emits less radiation than we are regularly exposed to from background radiation. These levels are so low that they are not harmful to human health."
Texas Department of State Health Services

"I believe that is reasonable to say that the materials (granite) tested pose no significant radon risk….the radon contribution from a typical countertop installation is less than 1% of the concentration found in the average U.S. home."
Daniel J. Steck, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, St. John’s University