Florida Tests Granite Countertop
Florida state has recently evaluated several residential units in high-rise buildings in south Florida to find the source of the Radon in the structures. Since soil based Radon usually is cut in half for each story upward, finding Radon in twenty story condos was a surprise.
As part of their search, they recorded the gamma spectra of the radiation emanating from various building materials including granite counter tops. That data is still under evaluation and they are still developing the techniques to interpret it. The evaluation should be complete by the end of August.
Other buildings have been studied and the concrete found to be the culprit. In one unit, it was a concrete ceiling that contributed the lions share of the Radon.
Once the information has been released, we will share the results.
2 Responses to 'Florida Tests Granite Countertop'
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on July 31st, 2008 at 12:43 am
Al,
With your concern for “Safer Cleaner” countertops, how do you feel about pesticides being put in man made countertops. I would think that pesticides and countertops would not be a good mix. For the record, how do you feel about this issue?
on July 31st, 2008 at 7:27 am
Miles,
I would ask Silestone about this and see what they say. I have no knowledge of the Microban product as to it’s toxicity, but I will say that it performed poorly in our bacterial studies of countertop materials from last year.
I will say that if anyone shows that Microban leaches out of Silestone, that will be as important as the granite issues. Be aware though, granite is loaded with heavy metals and toxins like Arsenic and Cadium. Were I attempting to knock quartz products, I would think if the same argument could be used against other products.
For those who aren’t in our trade, Miles is a granite fabricator that has fought long and hard to suppress the discussion of granite countertops and Radon/radiation. He has been quite unruly, refusing to read answers to questions he asked, which lead to me simply ignoring him.
As long as he follows the rules here, which are posted in the “Welcome” catagory, he is welcome to ask questions. One of those rules is that you take the time to read what info is available before asking questions, not meaning that there is a problem with clarifying any fine points.
One of Miles questions was not approved, no sarcasm or personal attacks will be tolerated. Stick to facts only.