Granite & Lung Cancer

Granite is used in many types of home and building construction, including flooring, counter-tops, fireplaces and walls. There continues to be concern that certain types of granite used in indoor construction may contribute to lung cancer.

Granite in the Environment

• Granite is one of the most commonly-occurring igneous rocks in our world. There are elements in granite, including minute amounts of uranium, that emit radiation known as radon gas as they naturally decay, according to the "American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists" (AARST).

Rdon Gas Emissions

• Radon gas emissions from the soil and granitic rock are all around us, all the time. But according to the EPA, these emissions are not considered harmful in open, outdoor environments.

Granite and Enclosed Spaces

• According to the EPA, the risk of granite-caused lung cancer exists when radon gas is emitted in enclosed spaces that are poorly ventilated, like homes or office buildings, or work environments like underground mines. In closed places, breathing radon gas, which is radioactive, can contribute to lung cancer.

The EPA on Radon in the Home

• While there has been considerable media focus on granite kitchen countertops and flooring, the EPA cites the main source of indoor risk as radon gas that collects in enclosed basements, where granitic earth is in contact with floors and walls.

Lung Cancer Risks

• According to the AARST, the higher the concentration of radon gas in an enclosed space and the longer you breathe it in, the higher your risk of lung cancer.