Does Quartz Countertops Give Off Radiation

It is best to have a pro fabricate and install your countertop.

Does quartz countertops give off radiation.

Here are some frequently asked questions about radon and the risks associated with granite. But i have become aware that granite comprises quartz. Radiation concentrations can only be measured using sophisticated portable instruments or with laboratory equipment. So are granite countertops a real risk.

Some granite and other natural stones contains trace amounts of uranium. On checking with some of the quartz countertop companies i was informed that quartz does contain some radioactive materials. It is extremely unlikely that radiation from granite countertops would increase annual radiation doses above normal. Granite and quartz are very heavy materials and even a relatively small 36 inch countertop weighs close to 100 pounds.

If it emits radon it typically does so at very low levels. However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home. If you do choose to do it yourself granite and quartz countertops are installed in the same fashion. However any radiation present would decrease quickly with increasing distance from the source.

Turning to the hazard of being exposed to gamma radiation we know that uranium thorium and potassium in natural rocks emit gamma radiation. In addition to radon naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can emit small amounts of beta and gamma radiation. You might even find it in the water. At this time a generally accepted radiation testing protocol for countertops does not exist and neither imported nor domestic granite products require radiation testing.

The question is whether they do so at levels that can impact cancer risk. However you will find that quartz countertops are actually man made and although they consist of 90 quartz the rest of the countertop is composed of resins polymers and various types of pigments. However in some instances tests have found that granite countertops give off potentially dangerous levels of radiation. Due to my concern about the radiation that granite emits i decided to pursue quartz countertops.

People love granite countertops though some may worry that it will emit radon a colorless odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of rocks and natural stones.