Is Marble Radioactive

The lowdown on granite radiation.

Is marble radioactive.

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

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. However these radioactive materials are typically present in such tiny amounts that they are negligible. This is only slightly radioactive if treated with chemicals. Granite may pose even less of a threat than marble or limestone because granite is a lot less porous.

These marbles barely register on sensitive geiger counters and the radiation emitted barely creeps above the background radiation we experience everyday from natural sources. Inhaling the accumulated radon could give rise to small degree of radiation. 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. Granite like any other stone may contain veins of naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium thorium and their radioactive decay products.

Despite this they pose no danger to humans. But if the findings. Take a look at these large slabs of stone. 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.

It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. These trace concentrations may vary from stone to stone or even within a single slab of granite. In fact all natural stones of any type contain radioactive materials as a matter of course. The mainstream of the market price of stone is generally in the 10 00 to 15 00 per square feet.

Marble is not considered to be radioactive even in the slightest bit. Does the epa believe there is a danger of radon gas or associated radiation being emitted from granite countertops.