The EPA has recently begun receiving an increasing number of reports form homeowners and inspectors about granite countertops that emanate levels of radiation far above the amounts considered to be safe.

It’s always been known that granite gives off a small amount of radiation, but it was always thought to be insignificant in comparison with the natural background radiation on the planet. However, scientist at Rice University are currently conducting tests on granite obtained from nearby commercial sources, and all emit an amount of radiation that’s higher than background levels, and a few were giving off over a hundred times background.

So if you’re sold on granite and are also health-conscious, you should probably have your next countertop tested before it’s installed. Contact the American Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists. Their website is at aarst.org.

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