Quartz countertops have become an increasingly popular option for home kitchens and bathrooms due to their durability, low maintenance, and stylish appearance. However, some homeowners have expressed concerns about potential radiation emissions from quartz surfaces. This article will examine the facts about radioactivity and quartz countertops to determine if they pose any health risks.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the earth’s crust. Natural quartz is extracted from quarries and processed into an engineered stone product used to create countertops, tiles, and other surfaces.
The main ingredient in quartz countertops is ground quartz crystals, typically accounting for around 90% of the material. The remaining 10% is composed of resins, pigments, and other compounds that bind the crystals together into a durable solid surface.
Does Natural Quartz Emit Radiation?
Like many natural stones, natural quartz can contain trace amounts of radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, and radium. However, the levels are very low – similar to or even lower than background radiation we are exposed to every day from soil, rocks or cosmic rays from space.
According to the Health Physics Society, walking outdoors exposes you to about 300 millirem of radiation per year. The highest radiation emissions recorded from granite countertops range from 0.03 to 0.10 millirem per year. Quartz emits even less.
This means the radiation exposure from natural quartz is about 1000 times lower than everyday background radiation. The small amounts of radiation emitted by quartz countertops do not pose a health risk.
Radioactivity in Engineered Quartz Products
Since engineered quartz mixes natural quartz with resins and other materials, some have wondered whether this makes the end product more radioactive.
However, studies have found radiation emissions from engineered quartz to be very low – similar or lower than natural stone products like granite.
A 2013 study tested a range of engineered quartz from different manufacturers and found radiation emissions averaging around 0.05 millirem per year – 500 times lower than background radiation.
The low radioactivity is because engineered quartz contains such a high percentage of quartz crystals, while the resin and polymer portion contributes little to no radioactive emissions.
Quartz Radiation vs. Granite Radiation
Some types of natural granite can have slightly higher concentrations of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium.
Testing has shown granite countertops emit anywhere from 0.03 to 30 millirem per year, with most emitting less than 10 millirem per year. Higher granite radiation levels are rare, occurring in less than 1% of granite types.
Comparatively, natural and engineered quartz have very low emissions of 0.01 to 0.1 millirem per year, according to testing. This means quartz consistently emits less radiation than granite.
Is the Radiation Level Dangerous?
Given the miniscule amounts of radiation, quartz countertops do not pose any health risks from radiation. The Health Physics Society reports that no studies have ever shown adverse effects from such low radiation exposure as found near any natural or engineered stone surfaces.
For perspective, here are some comparisons for the amount of radiation exposure from quartz per year:
- 0.05 millirem – The average radiation emission from engineered quartz. This is comparable to eating one banana per year.
- 10 millirem – The highest emissions recorded from some granite types. This equals 1-3 chest x-rays or a roundtrip US flight.
- 100 millirem – The lowest yearly radiation dose clearly linked to an increased cancer risk according to the EPA. This is equivalent to 5,000 times the emissions from quartz.
- 300 millirem – Average yearly exposure to background radiation
As you can see, the potential radiation from quartz countertops is thousands of times lower than amounts known to impact human health and well below everyday radiation we are all exposed to.
Should You Take Any Precautions?
Given the reassurance from testing and research data, quartz owners do not need to take any precautions regarding radiation.
The Health Physics Society advises that no special ventilation, sealing, or cleaning is needed to protect from radiation emissions around quartz surfaces. The trace emissions are so low that they present no danger even with prolonged close exposure.
Simple everyday cleaning and maintenance of your quartz counters is enough. You do not need any special products or procedures to protect against radiation.
Who Should Avoid Quartz Countertops?
Since quartz emits only miniscule traces of radiation, comparable to or less than background radiation, there are no groups that need to avoid quartz surfaces due to radioactivity risks.
The Health Physics Society states that groups such as pregnant women, children and those with compromised immune systems do not need to take precautions around quartz countertops. The extremely low quartz radiation levels do not require extra sensitivity.
Testing Your Quartz Countertop
If you wish to test your specific quartz surface for your own peace of mind, you can purchase an affordable radiation testing kit online or from most hardware stores.
Testing your countertop can give you measurable results and reassurance. However, any quartz material from a reputable manufacturer will emit only very low radiation at levels that pose no health risks.
Are Radioactivity Claims Just Marketing Hype?
Some quartz manufacturers promote their products as having ultra-low or no radiation emissions. But multiple studies show even the higher-emitting quartz surfaces emit insignificant levels of radiation.
While marketing language may create the impression that some quartz products eliminate radioactivity, the truth is quartz already has extremely low emissions across the board whether marketed this way or not.
Repeated third-party testing of quartz shows radiation levels are negligible in all products. No variety of quartz needs labeling about elevated emissions or poses any level of health risk from radiation.
The Bottom Line
Based on all available data, evidence overwhelmingly shows you do not need to worry about radiation exposure from quartz counters. Emissions are barely detectable and thousands of times lower than amounts linked to health risks.
Quartz has been proven a safe choice for countertops, even in homes with pregnant women and small children. You can confidently choose it for beauty and durability without compromising on safety. With simple everyday cleaning, quartz provides an excellent non-porous surface free of any concerning levels of radioactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have about radiation and quartz countertops:
Should I be concerned about radiation from quartz in my home?
No, you do not need to be concerned. Given the barely detectable emissions, even prolonged close exposure to a quartz counter poses no radiation danger. The amounts are thousands of times lower than levels known to impact health.
Is it safe for pregnant women and children?
Yes, quartz counters are completely safe for pregnant mothers and small children. Testing shows quartz emits extremely insignificant radioactivity at a fraction of everyday background levels that we are all exposed to.
Could quartz emit more radiation over time?
It is highly unlikely. Studies have found consistent radiation levels across quartz countertops both new and years old. Radioactive decay is a very slow process that should not produce any meaningful increase within our lifetimes with such tiny trace amounts.
Should I switch to another surface?
There is no need to replace or avoid quartz surfaces due to fears about radiation. Measured levels across all quartz products are remarkably low and confirmed as safe. Other popular countertop materials like granite have more variability in emissions while still at safe levels.
Does routine cleaning affect radioactivity?
No, everyday cleaning and use of quartz counters as recommended by manufacturers will not increase or decrease the negligible radiation emissions. You do not need any special products or procedures for cleaning quartz counters to address radioactivity concerns.
How does quartz compare to granite or concrete countertops?
Testing shows quartz consistently has lower radioactive emissions than granite or concrete. While radioactivity levels from granite and concrete are still considered safe, quartz emits the lowest levels and most uniformly low radioactivity of these three options.
Should I test my existing quartz counter?
You can test your counter with a radiation testing kit for your own knowledge, but this is not required for safety. Given the overall results across the quartz industry, your countertop is highly likely to emit insignificant background level radiation on par with testing of other quartz materials.
Conclusion
Independent testing and research provides overwhelming evidence that quartz countertops do not produce any concerning levels of radiation. Emissions are barely detectable and thousands of times lower than amounts linked to health impacts.
Homeowners can choose quartz surfaces with total confidence that radioactivity is a non-issue. With proper everyday cleaning and maintenance, quartz counters are a durable, stain-resistant, and safe addition to kitchens and bathrooms.