Is Marble Radioactive

It does pay to find out for sure if there are harmful levels of radioactive elements in your granite countertops.

Is marble radioactive. The lowdown on granite radiation. It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. Radon is an odorless colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium that seeps out of the earth more commonly in some places on the planet than others. Inhaling the accumulated radon could give rise to small degree of radiation.

Marble is not considered to be radioactive even in the slightest bit. But if the findings. Granite may pose even less of a threat than marble or limestone because granite is a lot less porous. Although the marbles emit beta particles and gamma rays which are dangerous at high levels they only give off a small number of these radioactive decay products.

This is only slightly radioactive if treated with chemicals. These trace concentrations may vary from stone to stone or even within a single slab of granite. However these radioactive materials are typically present in such tiny amounts that they are negligible. According to marble institute of america spokesman jim martinez 2 000 different stones from quarries around the world are sold as granite in the united states.

It is relieving to hear that the radioactive levels in granite and marble are too small to be of any concern but all construction materials in general emit a small amount of radon gas which is radioactive and can easily accumulate in poorly ventilated buildings. Granite like any other stone may contain veins of naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium thorium and their radioactive decay products. These marbles barely register on sensitive geiger counters and the radiation emitted barely creeps above the background radiation we experience everyday from natural sources. Despite this they pose no danger to humans.

The final material rate and processing costs is about 20 00 same as the consumer s who pay for the final price of one square foot of the slab. Does the epa believe there is a danger of radon gas or associated radiation being emitted from granite countertops. In fact all natural stones of any type contain radioactive materials as a matter of course. However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home.

After all there are always exceptions to the rule. The story here appears to be that some granite countertops have been found to emit high levels of radon a strongly carcinogenic natural radioactive element.