Both Quartz and granite release little to no radon gases. When these two materials are compared with each other, granite releases more radon than quartz. This is because granite is a natural stone and slightly porous, whereas quartz is man-made and is non-porous.
As sleek “engineered stone” countertops grow in popularity, safety experts are warning that workers who handle them are at particularly high risk from an old workplace hazard — silica, the mineral tied to silicosis, a debilitating and potentially deadly lung disease.
Quartz Counters (Engineered Stone)
Quartz is made of ground quartz (real stone), pigment and a binder, usually polyester resin. They claim that the final product is fully cured (no VOCs), but it did have a very minor offgassing odor for the first few days. After that, I found it completely safe.
Quartz and granite contain varying amounts of uranium, thorium, and potassium, which are naturally radioactive. Uranium and thorium decay to a radioactive gas, radon, which in turn decays to other radionuclides.
'It's Going To Get Worse': How U.S. Countertop Workers Started Getting Sick. Samples of Silestone, a countertop material made of quartz. Cutting the material releases dangerous silica dust that can damage people's lungs if the exposure to the dust is not properly controlled.
When quartz is quarried, cut, or polished for countertops, the crystalline silica creates airborne dust which becomes respirable, hence, respirable silica. Those tiny airborne particles can enter your lungs, creating scar tissue and can cause a number of diseases, including COPD, silicosis and lung cancer.
Quartz itself is very resistant to heat, but the resins used to make countertops are not. Placing a hot pan or baking dish directly on a quartz countertop can cause a permanent white discoloration or cloudy appearance.
Although quartz countertops will have less to zero radon, it does not preclude granite as a "less safe" choice in kitchen countertops. Given the radiation naturally encountered through flying, walking around a city, and living your everyday life, it is not significant enough to discourage granite in the household.
Topping the list for healthier countertop materials is lead-free (US-made) ceramic tile, followed by solid surface products such as Corian, then engineered quartz and cultured marble.
Granite isn't very porous and large quantities of it aren't typically used in most single-family homes, so radon isn't likely to escape in a significant enough quantity to cause an elevated radon level in a building, according to the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University.
Yes, some granites and quartzes contain uranium, a radioactive element. You are safe from significant exposure to the uranium while it is locked in the granite and/or if it is present at very low levels within the installed materials.
Quartz is very scratch resistant, but they can be damaged when forcefully hit with sharp objects. A cutting board is recommended. 3. Avoid cleaning with highly acidic or alkaline cleaners, such as nail polish remover, turpentine, oven cleaner, bleach, drain cleaners, dishwasher rinsing agents, etc.
The components of Corian® surfaces are not considered chemical irritants and are rated very low to slightly toxic by inhalation or ingestion. The components of Corian® are bound into the product so there is no exposure from touching or handling the material.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Your white quartz, and other lighter colored quartz, can turn yellow over time. This is usually due to the resins in the manufacturing process. They will react to salts and surfactants over time.
Quartz countertops are made with up to 90% quartz. The rest of the material is pigments and resin. Since the resin can only withstand approximately 150 degrees, placing very hot materials such as a pan directly out of the oven will burn the countertop and cause permanent damage.
2) Avoid Scratching the Surface
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Remember that although your quartz countertops are incredibly durable, they are not cutting boards. Never cut directly on your countertops to avoid scratching the finish and making the stone more vulnerable to staining.
Safety & Health Practitioner
Very fine dust containing quartz, known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS), can cause serious and fatal lung diseases. Worryingly, exposures to these dusts are not being properly recognised and controlled in Britain and around the world.
You can roll pastry dough easily on the naturally cold quartz. Sprinkle the countertop with flour if the dough is sticky. Transfer the dough to a cutting board if you plan to cut biscuits or individual pastries after rolling. While the surface is hard, you can damage it with a knife.
A study published in the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry in 2006 found that the radium content of red and pink granites is about three-and-a-half times higher than that of black and gray granites.
Corian: Because it is a human made surface, it does not emit radon.
Ceramic or porcelain tile is a great non-toxic material, but experience has taught me that the upkeep of the grout joints is a bit of a pain. Grout joints also make countertops difficult to really keep clean, and we worried that our kitchen would look old before its time. Concrete.
Environmentally responsible: Corian is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and chemically non-reactive. It does not decompose over time or contaminate ground or water resources, so it does not affect nearby vegetation when it is discarded in a landfill.