Does Quartz Countertops Emit Radiation

Granite and quartz are very heavy materials and even a relatively small 36 inch countertop weighs close to 100 pounds.

Does quartz countertops emit radiation.

Due to my concern about the radiation that granite emits i decided to pursue quartz countertops. Identifying radiation in granite countertops. There has been a lot of talk about radon and quartz countertops lately and you ll want to be sure that you and your family will be safe before investing your hard earned money into a new countertop. At this time a generally accepted radiation testing protocol for countertops does not exist and neither imported nor domestic granite products require radiation testing.

Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation. Radiation concentrations can only be measured using sophisticated portable instruments or with laboratory equipment. So are granite countertops a real risk. Identifying the presence and concentration of radioactive elements in each specific granite countertop requires sophisticated instruments.

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. If you do choose to do it yourself granite and quartz countertops are installed in the same fashion. However allegations that granite countertops are radioactive and can emit radon gas are not new. 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.

When you re weighing quartz countertops pros and cons it s a common question. A single study is not definitive of course but it does suggest that radon from quartz countertops is an insignificant hazard. But i have become aware that granite comprises quartz. It is best to have a pro fabricate and install your countertop.

On checking with some of the quartz countertop companies i was informed that quartz does contain some radioactive materials. They have been raised periodically mostly by manufacturers and distributors of competing countertop materials as well as the manufacturers of radon detection devices. But the extent and significance of the problem is unknown. Here are some frequently asked questions about radon and the risks associated with granite.

If you re asking yourself do quartz countertops emit radon you re certainly not alone.