What is a safe alternative to granite counter tops since granite may release toxic fumes?

Answer 1

Some granites emit less Radon than others, Absolute Black is an example. The low Radon level granites are okay to use as long as you provide plenty of ventilation, but factor the heating and cooling cost into the purchase price. Be sure an insist on a Radon test prior to purchase of your slab. If you want zero Radon being released in your home, you have to pick another product. Marbles and other stones can also have radioactive elements, so check them as well. The quartz brands tested so far are so low as to be below detectable limits, Silestone, Hanstone, Cambria and Staron are the brands tested so far. There are engineered marbles as well, none of which have tested unsafe, although the granite industry did try to attack the product a few years back. Our repeated requests for info on the supposed engineered marbles of concern have not been answered. Don't forget Solid Surface. There are a lot more types out there besides what the big box stores show. Look around at your local independent countertop shops. Some granite fabricators like Peter below are willing to mislead consumers on the facts, but the CRCPD (a group of state radiation officials), AARST (the Radon scientists), and ASTM (the world wide material testing association) all have committees studying the safety issues of granite being sold for home use. The EPA has warned that it is possible to purchase granite with radiation above "source" levels for nuclear fuel production. The HPS letter (Toohey) was a knee jerk reaction prior to their learning the facts. They are now cooperating with the CRCPD committee. Not one countertop company had anything to do with the New York Time story. Kate Murphy, one of their stringers, started that story with Dr. Llope at Rice University, I was the second interviewee and sent her on to Stan Liebert, Dr. Chiodo, and Dr. Kitto. The story left out the most important part, about the previous homeowner of the Sugarman home, lung cancer after 2 years and 2 months exposure. The big box store settled out of court on that one. For accurate info on this issue, go to forum.solidsurfacealliance.org solidsurfacealliance.org/blog solidsurfacealliance.org And now read what another granite fabricator has to say about the issue. Then do your own research. You could use basalt or soapstone for a kitchen as well as some man-made products like Vetrazzo ( http://www.vetrazzo.com ). More alternatives like marble, limestone, and travertine are attractive natural materials with a variety of colors that can also be used for just about anything. I'd also reconsider granite because it is a natural material that humans have lived with for centuries.

There has been some misleading information put out by plastic counter top

manufacturers intending to fearfully drive people to buy their product (they put out the press release that NY Times used for its story).

I'd suggest reading facts about granite in the linked articles from the EPA and HSP (especially the letter to the editor of the NY Times) on my blog: http://safegranite.blogspot.com Peter Pental