Mommy, Mommy, what's that green stuff bubbling in our backyard?

I knew the day would arrive and it has. My biggest fear has finally surfaced and that being with was reported today by Kate Murphy from the New York Times. Your granite countertop may set off the Geiger counter! Kate Murphy reports that "allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop materials. The Marble Institute of America has sdaid such claims are "ludicrous" because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat." So, let's all just breath! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG ...... here's why:

"As the popularity of granite countertops has brown in the last decade - demand for them has increased tenfold, according to the Marble Institute of America, a trade group representing granite fabricators - so have the types of granite available. For example, one source, http://www.graniteland.com offers more than 900 different kinds of granite from 63 countries. And with increased sales volume and variety, there have been more reports of "hot" or potentially hazardous counterops, particularly among the more exotic and striated varieties form Brazile and Namibia.

So, after reading this article I went to our file cabinet to see wht the State of Illinois has to say about radon/radiation emissions. They are talking about the radiation from the ground level, the crawl spaces but who'd a thunk about the granite/marble countertops?!!! I mean, go check this out: http://www.radon.illnois.gov

"The average person is subjected to radiation from natural and manmade sources at an annual level of 360 millirem (a measure of energy absorbed by the body), according to government agencies like the E.P.A and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," say Murphy. The limit of additional exposure set by the commission for people living near nuclear reactors is 100 millirem per year. To put this in perspective, she reports, passengers get 3 millirem of cosmic radiation on a flight from New York to Los Angeles."

So what are you talking about? I'm telling you that his is the next level like mold mitigation. This is to be taken seriously. I would strongly suggest having a test run on your client's countertop before they put the property on the market. Next, if you have a client who is purchasing granite, have them get the slabs tested before they have them cut and installed.

Do you want "hot" countertops? I don't. I don't like lawsuits and better yet, I don't like the "c" word. If you don't understand anything, let me put it to you this way...... Do you want your children eating toasted Cheerios?

Where to find Tests and Testers:

To find a certified technian to determine whether radiation or radon is emanating from a granite countertop, contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technololgists (http://www.aarst.org) Testing costs between $100 to $300. Small price to pay to stay healthy for your life.

Information on certified tecnicians and do-it-yourself (I wouldn't recommend) radon testing kits is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's website at http://www.epa.gov/radon, as well as from state and regional indoor air environment offices, which can be found at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html

People please take this seriously, if not for yourself but for your family and clients.