Chill…no he didn’t say what colors but everyone I mentioned it (contractors, plumbers etc) said they have heard about it but they have it in their homes anyway.
I agree with Steve insofar as there’s a lot of junk science that is driving this radon story. Plus, in all the stuff I’ve read about the remote potential that a particular granite will be “hot”, I’ve never heard that claim extended to marble. . . until now.
Red and pink granite from Brazil and Namibia *may* give off radon but there’s a lot of junk science here. Only in a few cases has radon from granite been found to exceed background radiation and even in those it’s not all that high.
The professor who was making so much noise about this in the media warned that the worst offenders emit up to 100 millirems, which exceeds NRC maximums for nuclear power plants. Residents of Denver, CO are bombarded by over 50 millirems of cosmic radiation 24/7.
If this is of any concern I read an article somewhere (maybe Consumer Reports?) recently that said granite and marble give off Radon in high quantities. I asked a tile and floor guy I know if its true and he said its only true for certain colors.
Its worth doing a search if you are considering installing it.
Be careful with Marble. It stains constantly. Even the grease from your hands can stain it. I have it in my bathroom and almost wish I went with ceramic, glass or cement over the marble due to the maintence.
saw on another blog some expensive contractor recommended granite over carrarra marble for lower maintenence. However when i looked up the granite it had the same care instructions as the marble so i’m not sure.
Chill…no he didn’t say what colors but everyone I mentioned it (contractors, plumbers etc) said they have heard about it but they have it in their homes anyway.
I agree with Steve insofar as there’s a lot of junk science that is driving this radon story. Plus, in all the stuff I’ve read about the remote potential that a particular granite will be “hot”, I’ve never heard that claim extended to marble. . . until now.
permadas: 11:46PM “only true for certain colors”
Did he tell you which colors? I want to use the white Carrara.
Red and pink granite from Brazil and Namibia *may* give off radon but there’s a lot of junk science here. Only in a few cases has radon from granite been found to exceed background radiation and even in those it’s not all that high.
The professor who was making so much noise about this in the media warned that the worst offenders emit up to 100 millirems, which exceeds NRC maximums for nuclear power plants. Residents of Denver, CO are bombarded by over 50 millirems of cosmic radiation 24/7.
My next counter will be concrete.
If this is of any concern I read an article somewhere (maybe Consumer Reports?) recently that said granite and marble give off Radon in high quantities. I asked a tile and floor guy I know if its true and he said its only true for certain colors.
Its worth doing a search if you are considering installing it.
Be careful with Marble. It stains constantly. Even the grease from your hands can stain it. I have it in my bathroom and almost wish I went with ceramic, glass or cement over the marble due to the maintence.
marble stains because it is more porous than granite. that can actually be a sanitaion issue as well. granite does not have these issues.
soapstone is great…you just have to oil it a few times a year. it does not stain. do not get slate.
saw on another blog some expensive contractor recommended granite over carrarra marble for lower maintenence. However when i looked up the granite it had the same care instructions as the marble so i’m not sure.