The Observation Deck

From the New York Times

What Lurks In Your Countertop

SHORTLY before Lynn Sugarman of Teaneck, N.J., bought her summer home in Lake George, N.Y., two years ago, a routine inspection revealed it had elevated levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. So she called a radon measurement and mitigation technician to find the source.

Using devices like the Geiger counter and the radiation detection instrument Stanley Liebert measures the radiation and radon emanating from granite like that in Lynn Sugarman’s kitchen counters.

“He went from room to room,â€￾ said Dr. Sugarman, a pediatrician. But he stopped in his tracks in the kitchen, which had richly grained cream, brown and burgundy granite countertops. His Geiger counter indicated that the granite was emitting radiation at levels 10 times higher than those he had measured elsewhere in the house.

“I don’t really know what the numbers are telling me about my risk,â€￾ Ms. Zick said. “I don’t want to tear it out, but I don’t want cancer either.â€￾

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. In Dr. Sugarman’s kitchen, the readings were 100 picocuries per liter. In her basement, where radon readings are expected to be higher because the gas usually seeps into homes from decaying uranium underground, the readings were 6 picocuries per liter.

The entire story is on the New York Times website.



FWIW



.

Does anything not give you cancer these days?

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Does anything not give you cancer these days?

HAHAHAH

Great, so glad we put all new granite countertops in our kitchen. Another reason I am happy to own this house... (i want to burn this house down...i swear!!!!)

I propose a ban on granite counter tops due to the possibility of second hand Radon exposer.

Jim DeVito wrote:I propose a ban on granite counter tops due to the possibility of second hand Radon exposer.

No Jim, let's get city council to just ban Radon. Seems like a much more enforceable ordinance to me.

Of course we'll grandfather any existing Radon as long as it goes to the water department to register, but no new Radon better move in!

Bryan Schwegler wrote:

Jim DeVito wrote:I propose a ban on granite counter tops due to the possibility of second hand Radon exposer.

No Jim, let's get city council to just ban Radon. Seems like a much more enforceable ordinance to me.

Of course we'll grandfather any existing Radon as long as it goes to the water department to register, but no new Radon better move in!

I just spit out my soda everywhere on my laptop. OMG thank you for the laugh.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:Of course we'll grandfather any existing Radon as long as it goes to the water department to register, but no new Radon better move in!

Let's get it passed. Deb wants the kitchen redone.



.

Not only does granite give you cancer, it also sucks the money out of your bank account.

Actually just got Corian installed in my house, because we couldn't afford granite! But I'm sure Corian causes cancer or psoriasis, lumbago, gout, or painful rectal itch or some such thing.

are granite counter tops made of solid granite, or granite that is ground up and molded back together in some kind of solution? i can't really tell from looking at it.