Test Granite Counter tops for Radioactivity Before You Buy!
You are looking for your dream home. Something big, large kitchen with all the upgrades, but watch out, those granite countertops can be deadly!
That’s right some granite counter tops of many different colors have two serious problems. They can contain radioactive particles that can be extremely detrimental for developing babies in a mother’s womb. Plus, granite counter tops can emit radon gas.
A physics professor at Rice University is warning of a radioactive threat found in some kitchen countertops.
Some granite countertops contain levels of uranium high enough to be dangerous to humans, said Rice professor W.J. Llope.
Using a spectrometer, Llope tested 25 varieties of granite bought from Houston-area dealers. In some cases, he said, he found countertops that could expose homeowners to 100 millirems of radiation in just a few months — the annual exposure limit set by the Department of Energy for visitors to nuclear labs.
Radon gas like asbestos can cause lung cancer, and many homes these days even have radon detectors built in.
It seems crazy, especially because you might have previously expected to pay $10 - $20 thousand dollars for an upgrade on a home to install granite countertops, but that could be the worst buy you ever made.
We take so many precautions when we buy things today from travel insurance to seat belts to infant car seats and much much more. We hardly expect a beautiful luxury item to contain something so dangerous as Uranium and radon gas.
Before you buy a home, you should have the granite counter tops tested for radioactivity and radon gas. If the countertop is dangerous, have it removed before you buy!
