The debate about granite countertops and whether they pose radon gas or general radiation hazards wages on and there is a tremendous amount of confusing information available on this topic.

The fact is that granite emits radiation, but so do you and I, and many other building materials, and common foods (like potatoes, bananas, & Brazil nuts).

Should we stop hugging our loved ones, change our diets, tear out our granite countertops, and keep our pregnant loved ones out of kitchens?

Generally speaking no, but I have to qualify that with the following -

There is a tremendous amount of misinformation and bad science out there on this topic, and powerful (wealthy) forces are championing their opposing views (interest). On one side of the debate is the granite industry which is downplaying any danger, and on the other side are the solid surface manufacturers that are exaggerating all of the dangers.

The fact that this debate is happening real time on the Internet makes it nearly impossible to sort out the facts from fiction. If you google this topic, you will find YouTube videos of kids using $100 hand-held Geiger counters they purchased on eBay that make you believe that you’ll be instantly sterilized if you momentarily lean against any granite countertop. This type of misinformation will be posted side-by-side with information from seemingly qualified individuals and organizations citing studies with results that may or may not hold up or be of much true value under close scrutiny.

When a consumer organization states that no hazards were found in "the samples" they tested, or a government agency states that they found no "significant" risk, we shouldn't ignore what risk may exist in the 1000's of samples they didn't test, or ignore the word significant. Significant to who? A lobbyist influenced agency or to our loved ones?

The bottom line is that a small percentage of granite that has been tested emits potentially hazardous levels of radiation and radon gas, but how these emissions are measured is crucial in determining if these emissions are creating radiation exposure hazards in a home.

If you are concerned about your granite countertops emitting radiation and radon gas, I recommend that these countertops be scanned with a radiation detection device that is designed and calibrated to respond specifically to the elements in the granite that produce radon gas. (not a $100 eBay device). Accurate and meaningful radon level measurements can generally not be achieved with hand-held Geiger counters - these instruments are not able to isolate radon producing radiation from other types of radiation emissions that can not contribute to elevated levels of radon gas or other radiation health hazards.

The legitimate scientific information available documents that most of the granite tested does not emit dangerous levels of radiation, but some granite may have highly concentrated areas (hotspots) with high radiation emission levels that could pose hazards to a home’s occupants, especially if you are sitting near a radiation hotspot every morning having your coffee, reading your paper, or checking your e-mail.

Peace of Mind Offer To My Radon Testing Clients

I am offering granite countertop scans for the nominal fee of $125.00 in all homes that I have been hired to test for elevated Radon gas concentrations.  These countertop scans are designed to detect potential radiation and radon issues by detecting any radiation hotspots the countertops might have. As most granite has proven not to emit hazardous radiation levels, these scans should help provide you peace of mind that these granite countertops are safe and no other radon testing is required in these areas.

If elevated radiation emissions are discovered, I can provide recommendations on additional testing, remediation, and/or mitigation.

This service is also offered as a stand-alone service to homeowners that are concerned about their installed granite countertops and to home sellers or real estate professionals that want to be able to provide potential home buyers peace of mind that the installed granite poses no significant health hazards. (Fee is $175.00 - $300.00 - based on size of granite countertops and home location)

As a home inspector, I am a neutral observer whose primary concern is my client's safety. It is my responsibility to understand potential threats and to address these objectively. It is not my role to be an alarmist or to downplay potential health hazards. On the basis of available scientific information, your granite countertop is "likely" safe. Wouldn't it be nice to know if it is "actually" safe. The countertop scan process I am offering is a simple, accurate, and low-cost way to secure peace of mind and to enjoy your beautiful granite countertops with no worries.

Please Note - There are currently no official scientific protocols or regulations on scanning granite countertops, and many services are being offered that will not provide meaningful results. Please contact me if you would like to discuss the merits of my process in comparison to other services being offered.

For additional opinion - see Snopes.com entry on this subject.