The Radon Experts are begining to Accept the Granite/Radon/Radiation Issues
This pod cast with Chrystine Kelley, Environmental Protection Specialist with theColorado Department
of Public Health & Environment and Dr. Leo Moorman is about Radon Home Measurement and Mitigation.
They talk about radioactive elements in granite and the decay chain, leading to continuous Radon release. Dr. Moorman talks about the two issues, Gamma radiation and Radon emission from granite countertops. Even Radon generated in the center of the slab can diffuse into the homes air.
They speak about Radon and the dilution factor inside the home and how the modern energy efficient air tight homes affect. They bring up the low levels of Radon from granite and discuss radiation units. Absorbed dose and exposure rates, biological factors are discussed, with Radon being low, but 20 times more dangerous.
Hot spots are discussed, with the distribution of hot and quiet sections. Distance from the source and background radiation levels in general are discussed. Exposure per year (100 mR/yr) is discussed, then a computation of a 30 uR/hr minus background, or 17 R/hr times 4 hours. Leading to 24 mR/yr exposure.
Dr. Mooreman recomends finding the lowest level granite for your countertop. Those concerned should test their basement, kitchen, and other living areas.
Radon pressure builds up due to difficulty getting out of the granite, which slows down the initial rate, but in the end the granite emitts almost as much Radon as if it were free to move.
They no doubt are not 100% convinced that a granite countertop can add the majority of the Radon in a home, but they are intelligent enough to admit that higher radiation level slabs might be out there. All in all a pretty decent discussion although some what lacking in information on the hotter varieties of granite.
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