Preliminary Test Results are Beginning to Come In
The latest shipment of samples to the scientists and Radon techicians have arrived and some preliminary results are coming in. These results should not be taken as 100% accurate until others have reproduced the same result in other tests, but they are a important first step toward proving that some granites are indeed high enough level to be of concern.
First file is a Radon test result of a normal, low level radon granite countertop material,
Cosmos Brown
Pretty safe stuff.
This test result was on a section of Juparana Bordeaux that was tested a few weeks ago. A bit more concerning. The Houston Juparana Bordeaux granite counterop in the TV reports was a bit hotter than this one. The lab report on the Houston granite countertop is here.
Here is the Radon graph on two of the Four Seasons granite slab that was cut up and sent out for testing late last month.
And here is a Radon graph on a section of Niagara Gold sent out for study
This test found that if you had a 15′ x 15′ x 8′ tall room containing 26.5 of Niagara Gold,with no air exchange at all, the Radon levels would hit 5.9 in 24 hours. If allowed to remain unventilated and build up to maximum levels, it would hit 35.4 pCi/L in the room
So you can have very elevated radon but it has to be very air tight and a small room that is not circulating. My concern is more that there is an elevated Radon level in the air you breath while using the countertop.
Here are some pictures of one of the tests being done. Double click on the picture for a larger view.
The equipment being used are a Ludlum Geiger counter, a RadElec H chamber is for Radon surface emanation, the open e-perm Radon canister is to get a Radon level between surface & 2″ above the counter, the upside e-perm in a radon collection container sealed to surface to simulate testing with a bowl over the device, and the closed e-perm is a quality control blank.
This test is being conducted by Bill Levy of Associated Radon Services out of Stuart, Florida. If you are in the area and need a countertop tested, they have a huge lab. They have a link in our Associate menu.
6 Responses to 'Preliminary Test Results are Beginning to Come In'
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on August 5th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Any word on Bianco Romano? I’m sending off test kits today, but I’ve been worried b/c it is from Brazil and is striated. Thanks …
on August 5th, 2008 at 6:18 am
No info on Bianco Romano yet. I have a slab yard scheduled to be surveyed next week and I will get you some results if they have any to test.
This is sort of white, or should be (Bianco), so the chances of it being high Radon levels are small.
However, a Uranium Geologist that is working with us explained why one of the high radiation level white granites that we found was so hot. Sometimes a granite can be pushed back down in the earths mantle and remixed, or veins of more radioactive magma can be injected in any cracks or crevices in the white granite.
Remember that radiation can be present without a detectable level of Radon, in fact, I worry more about the radiation than the Radon in most granites
So, like a broken record, we say test to be sure.
What part of the country are you in? We are starting a list of people with experience and equipment to home test granites or test for homeowners prior to purchase. We might have someone in your area.
For the record, we get nothing for our effort in getting testers and homeowners together. Just trying to help. But we are looking into providing a certification process for slab yards, might use these same guys to do on site testing for businesses, if they are willing.
on August 5th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I’m in Chicago … I’d consider hiring a professional firm to address the radiation issue, but I’m not sure who to call — easy to find radon measurement firms, but not so much for radiation?
on August 5th, 2008 at 6:41 am
I guess Saginaw Michigan is far away? We have a guy there.
Let me ask on the Rad forums and see if we can find someone. A lot cheaper than a professional lab. Some state depts will look at stuff you bring them, some will make house calls, but we would prefer that be saved for confirming the worst cases. Don’t want to run them ragged checking out innocuous level granite tops.
on August 5th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I put a call out for someone in the Chicago area. Check back in a few days to see if we found someone. Wish we were more organized, bear with us while we round up more testers.
on August 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Bianco Romano,
I sent your email to a tester in north Chicago. Let us know how it turns out please.