I work fabricating granite countertops does cutting it put me at a higher risk of radon gases?

Question

I work fabricating granite countertops does cutting it put me at a higher risk of radon gases?

Answer 1

No, not really, the level of radon gas associated with granite slabs would be so low it poses no danger.

However silicosis is a real hazard you should be made aware of.

Answer 2

Absolutely not, as others have said the effects of dust in your lungs is a far greater worry. The danger of Radon from granite counter tops in the home is nothing but a lot of scare mongering by ignorant journalists who have nothing better to write about. Radon can be a problem but only in a still confined space like a cellar which is actually cut into granite bedrock. I had a house in Cornwall in England, which has large areas of granite with quite a high background radiation level, with a cellar like this and I did have to have a ventilation system fitted but having said that the house did not have any history of its occupants dropping dead during the four hundred and fifty years it had been lived in. Make sure you wear your dust mask at work and you will be fine.

Answer 3

Yes---some granite is worse than others but you are at high risk and need to invest in a Geiger counter. Not only does it release radon it is also radioactive.

Answer 4

Other than smashing a finger or cutting yourself, the greatest danger would be silicosis from breathing the dust if you don't wear a mask. A reasonably well ventilated work area should eliminate any radon hazard.

Answer 5

Not exactly. If you work wet , you shouldnt have an issue. The only time you need to be careful is if you fabricate stones from Namibia, Africa. They are quarried basically along side of Uranium mines. Not many fabricators work with these stones however, since most from this area are very exotic. Other than that, Niagra Gold is also , somewhat hazardous, but fabrictaing that stone all day will not expose you to any more radiation than a flight to California from the east cost.  Crema Bordeaux and Juparana Bordeaux are also two that are very high, but about as harmful as your cell phone. If you are still worried, or if you work as a dry cutter you can wear a Valved Mask over your nose and mouth. You can also bug your Boss to have someone from a local University come to your fabrication area with a giger counter, just to be safe. :)