Real Estate Community Forum

Granite countertops, which is found in many homes across the U.S. have been found to actually pose a terrible health risk. It has been found that granite countertops let out radioactive gases which can cause cancer. Isn't this terrible? There are millions of people who already have countertops with granite. Does this mean they have to remove their countertops if they want to be healthy? Looks like this will cause several problems for many homeowners.

I have heard about the problems related to granite counter tops. It is my understanding that although health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite counter tops emit radiation and radon, these levels are extremely low. In fact, they explain that these emissions are insignificant compared with man made sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors. So in reality, many home owners have nothing to worry about and they don't have to get rid of their granite counter tops.

I personally don't have granite counter tops in my kitchen, but if I did I would consider removing them. The thought of getting cancer is enough to scare me and knowing that my kitchen counter top could be the cause makes me go into a panic. I don't want cancer. Does anybody? It's a terrible disease. Does anyone know how much it would cost to remove a granite counter top? What would you replace it with?

I would not go through the trouble to remove granite counter tops. The resale value of your home is too important to get rid of it. There are so many other things in our environment that causes cancer. In fact, our entire environment is full of chemicals that we breath in every day that contribute to cancer. There's pollution from factories, car exhausts, chemicals from cleaning products, detergents, air fresheners, and it's even in your deodorant. It's impossible to avoid these chemicals so how can you blame cancer on granite counter tops?

I suggest cleaning your household air quality before you look at granite counter tops if your so concerned about your health.

According to "What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?" (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?_r=1&ref=health), a recent article in the New York Times, one company sells 900 different kinds of granite, and "with increased sales volume and variety, there have been more reports of 'hot' or potentially hazardous countertops, particularly among the more exotic and striated varieties from Brazil and Namibia." You can get a Geiger counter or a home radon inspection kit (though I've read that these are not accurate). I would recommend hiring a licensed home inspector to do a radon check on the countertop in question -- and while they're at it, they should do a full test on your entire house). According to Accurate Inspections (http://accurateinspections.com/radon.htm), "Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases, may be reduced." The New York Times article also writes that "The E.P.A. recommends taking action if radon gas levels in the home exceeds 4 picocuries per liter of air (a measure of radioactive emission); about the same risk for cancer as smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day." I have read of instances where granite countertops are registering up to 9 picocuries. I guess that's like smoking more than a full pack of cigarettes! Scary!

The first choice is Granite top for countertop, because countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen. Pros: comes in a range of almost 3000 colors; looks permanent and substantial; will last a lifetime; Cons: expensive, but becoming more affordable.

A granite counter tops causing cancer? I have heared about that on some news but I guess I have no idea if what should it be.. let me search some article about this..