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29 August 2008

Answer to Question #5888 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Environmental and Background Radiation — Building and Construction Material

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I am concerned about granite, which is the material used for our kitchen countertop. I heard that it contains some radioactive materials. Is it harmful to human health? I have a one-year-old in the house. If it is bad, we will consider changing to a new house.

Granite, as with all other kinds of rock and soil, contains some naturally occurring radioactive elements including thorium, uranium, and potassium-40, a radioactive isotope of potassium. However, generally speaking, the amount of radioactivity in most granites is quite small, amounting to a few tens of parts per million at the extreme. While it is possible to get a measurable level of external radiation from some granites (most notably Grand Central Station in New York City), the levels are so low as to not be harmful to human health. So enjoy your new house with its granite kitchen countertop (which I suspect is quite beautiful) without worry or fear from health hazards from radioactivity in granite.
Ron Kathren, CHP

Answer posted on 26 October 2006. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.