Granite Countertops Could Cost More Than Money

Phoenix, AZFirst come the news reports, then comes the worry: research has shown that some granite countertops release radon gas. Radon gas is radioactive and emitted as uranium breaks down. There is currently no identified safe level of radon because it can cause lung cancer.

So, now comes the worry for homeowners who paid a little extra for granite countertops. They are left wondering if that luxury could wind up costing them their lives. One woman who wrote to LawyersandSettlements.com asks, "Do I have to wait until I get sick to make a complaint? I bought the condo in 2005 and nobody advised me about the granite countertops."

Homeowners must now determine what their course of action will be, but any action could cost them, either financially or physically. They could choose to leave the granite countertops in, but they may then have to live with the worry that the countertops are emitting a dangerous substance into the air. They could choose to have the countertops removed, but that could be a costly, and time-consuming affair. They could also choose to sell their home, but would they get top dollar for a house that contains a possible source of radioactive emissions?

People can test their homes to see if they are living with dangerous levels of radon. If there is radon in the home emitted by granite countertops, it may be possible to sue the granite manufacturer for not warning of the risk of exposure to radon.

Although critics say that the amount of radon emitted from a granite countertop is so insignificant that it would not cause any damage or health problems, it is also widely acknowledged that there is no completely safe level of radon exposure. Furthermore, because we are all exposed to radon on a daily basis, even a tiny amount in the home could be the extra bit of radon needed to cause serious health problems.

A lot of people paid extra money so that they could have beautiful granite countertops, not realizing that they could be bringing extra radon into their home at the same time. Now, they are left wondering if they will one day wind up with lung cancer caused by their luxurious countertops.

One man says he has been affected by radon in his home. Bob J. wrote to LawyersandSettlements.com, saying that his family has ongoing health problems including hair loss and skin problems because of radon. He writes that medical tests confirm that his family has high levels of uranium and vanadium in their systems.

It is important to note that not all granite is dangerous. However, if you are concerned about the levels of radon in your home, you could have a test done to determine how much radon you are exposed to. If you have unexplained illnesses or further questions about granite-associated radon exposure, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.