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- Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas produced when uranium in natural stone undergoes radioactive decay. Granite frequently contains traces of uranium, though the amount present varies widely; most radon in a typical home seeps in from the surrounding earth.
- Radon exposure in the home is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's office. Proper ventilation can lessen the risk; today's tightly sealed, energy efficient homes may increase the danger.
- There have been anecdotal reports of high radon levels from granite countertops, but research has yet to identify a widespread danger.
- Inexpensive kits are available at home improvement stores to test your home for radon. If the test shows a high radon level, you can buy a special kit specifically for testing countertops.
- The Marble Institute of America, which represents granite producers, says radon emissions from granite are usually insignificant compared with background levels. According to The New York Times, allegations about granite's radon risks often come from makers of competing countertop materials.
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