Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

Mad_203 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:04:15 GMT

I am NOT going to start worrying about my countertops (which are some kind of Formica). My biggest concern about granite would be dropping breakables on it. Formica provides more cushion. Granite is beautiful, though, and very durable. There are worse dangers than granite countertops all around us, like depleted uranium, genetically modified organisms, and vaccines tainted with everything from mercury to cancer-causing viruses. Worrying about everything is a health hazard as well!

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

Seniorose — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:21:12 GMT

OMG!...just moved in a beautiful new home with granite countertops...close as I can describe the pattern is...reminds me of a leopard's coat...

"Pardee Homes" will be footin' the geiger counter/radon detector bill for sure!

___________________________________________________________________________

Thank-You Dr. Mercola and all of you here in this exceptional "COMMUNITY OF KNOWLEDGE"

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

frogger — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:45:54 GMT

According to this sales info, geiger counters pick up not only the radon but also blips from Potassium, and Thorium. In some cases, 80% of the blips can be from Thorium. As a result, the reading for Radon gas can be artificially elevated because it reads all three of these elements together indiscriminately.

The company's article: www.radon.com/radon/granite.html

A company's demo showing the geiger counter reacting to Potassium and Thorium as well:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2jhBeJt95E

I found a demo video on YouTube that shows that Potassium,

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

quackyjackie_203 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:26:10 GMT

From what I understand most of the dangerous granite slabs come from China - they test them there and if they have over a certain level of radon they export them over here to North America. Yup, anything that's over the threshold level is illegal to keep in China and they ship "em out.

So if you see a cute vanity ensemble at your local hardware store with granite counters - cheap, you can rest assured that the vanity itself was manufactured in China and that the granite top is of the lowest quality and probably very radioactive., and yes also probably from China.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

Radiance 333 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:14:49 GMT

Hey, why can't I give K2L points???? When I try, it says" null points" next to the thumb symbol! His/her comment is relevant and treats the root of all of our health problems, I.E., a government and corporations running rampant over our right to NOT be poisoned by their policies, products and bi-products. Radiation emitting counter tops are just one of thousands of symptoms of our dis-ease; products that are either under-researched for safety or mis-represented (a nice term for actually LIED about) in the name of profit.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

frogger — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:58:12 GMT

Just wait, until anyone who owns a granite counter forgets and puts a hot pot directly on it and causes it to crack. Then there won't be any debate about whether to remove it.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

Gary J Collins — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:31:50 GMT

I agree that the headline is sensational but it did the trick in getting your attention.

When I renovated my kitchen about 10 years ago, just as these granite countertops were starting to become trendy, I looked at all the options.

At the time I recalled an article about various cutting boards. Of all the types tested wood demonstrated that it had the best the anti-bacterial qualities.

After a lot of consideration it came down to w choice of two. Stainless steel or polished wood. As wood was much cheaper I choose polished Red-gum. Not lacquered just sanded to a smooth finish then oiled with vegetable oil. I could have used bees wax but that is hard to maintain if a hot object is placed on it, although can be recovered by polishing with steel wool. It is easy to clean and still looks great. It even smells fresh when wiped over. Sure you have to re-apply the oil every couple of months but the result is well worth it.

Incidentally all cutting is done on a separate board so there is no damaging done to the countertop surface.

There was a subconscious environmental consideration. Timber or wood is sustainable if harvested the right way not as is done today with clear felling of forests.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

healing01 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:04:46 GMT

Radiation accumulates in your tissues. Just because it is "natural" or "background" does not mean it is good for you or safe. And safe compared to what?. Our bodies are much more vunerable these days and what didn't bother people 100 years ago bothers us now. Also the background level of this radon in the air is always increasing because we keep digging it up and it is an out gassing from our tons and tons of nuclear waste. Background radiation in a gas form varies dramatically by the wind and your body can more easily adapt, whereas in a building like your house it will accumulate at higher concentrations and is part of the sick building syndrome. This buildup of radon weakens the immune system by wearing it out due to steady exposure, unlike outdoors. Your best surface for low toxicity and functional beauty is still porcelian tile. Use the 12x12 or 16x16 size to give the elegant counter look instead ot the 1x1 bathroom floor chicklet look and I think you will be quite suprized by the beauty. It is tougher to cut, but that shows its durability. Over all this is the best bet. And no I don't sell the stuff.

If you want to fear radiation, fear what is generated on a continual basis from any source and especially the government projects like Harrp, medical devices. If it is generated by man if is many times more destructive than in nature. Yellow cake Uranium is nothing compared to the Plutonium we make for bombs. It has no measurable amount, no matter how small, that is not deadly. It breaks down in a relatively short period of time into another form of uranium and then again to plutonium. It's half life is over 8 million years. Nuclear power plants are as stupid as you can get for many reasons, however, the dumping of the depleted uranium is a major health hazard we must track and avoid. See the film "none dare call it treason" and get educated.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

yoursh — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:42:54 GMT

www.youtube.com/watch

Here is the television segement I found on granite countertops. I thought it was intersting!

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

yoursh — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:24:40 GMT

www.nytimes.com/.../24granite.html

That is the link to the actual article. It really hits home. I recommend you all read that article. Radon is a dangerous gas, which accounts for many lung cancer deaths per year. It explains some of those mysterious lung cancers in people who don't smoke. Uranium is very dangerous as well, and the granite countertops leak that as well. It is not worth it!! The inspectors are telling the EPA that they are coming up with dangerouse countertops, not the marble industry telling the EPA or anything weird like that. These are common people trying to notify and do the right thing. They test countertops and other things for a living.

I saw the Today show a little while back that had one of these tester guys and three slabs of granite. The first slab was considered low level and not much of a serious threat. BUT, the guy said that you should have a ventillation system put in if you wish to keep a countertop at that low level. BOY that sounds safe. The other two countertops were higher and higher levels. The recommendation was to remove them. If I had chosen granite countertops, I would remove them immediately. Radiation exposure is cumulative, so it all adds up!

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

pinkskittles — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:04:50 GMT

I consider myself the hugest health freak I know, but when I get a new home I'm probably still going to get granite if it's what's most visually appealing. It's just too pretty, though I find other types of counters attractive too, like wood and some concrete. I'll just wear an x-ray vest with my apron when I cook. ;o)

LOL @ - "And on top of that, the title of this article is rather extreme considering the content, don't you think?!"

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

Adam W. — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:10:49 GMT

GREAAAAAAAAAAT...Just another thing I have to become a "know-it-all" about...

Thanks Dr. Merc. (oops?)

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

CCurtis — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:31:58 GMT

Well-written, K2L! There are no safe political parties. They are all in it for the same final goal. The only reason we still have multiple parties (including Libertarian, Green party, and independents) is to make us THINK we have a choice in the matter. But no matter who gets elected, there is no change. (For those who think Obama will make a change, better think again! He still can't even illustrate to us what his plan for change is!) After all, did Clinton do anything? No -- he only left a big mess for when Bush took over. After all, Clinton had the chance to get rid of Bin Laden and didn't!

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

curious7 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:46:08 GMT

Check your basements for radon gas, and concrete slab type buildings. Radon comes from the depletion of uranium and this could be anywhere. Especially if you live in the western United States. This survey should be done before buying, or building a house, or anything that people or animals will frequent.

re: Your Granite Countertops Could Be Killing You

krupulfinch — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:34:24 GMT

could'nt agree more