Granite Countertop Radiation Explained

What kind of radiation does granite emit? Within the veins of the stone radioactive uranium, thorium, and radium naturally occur. True, these levels are usually in such small amounts that they pose little risk, especially if you get some distance from the countertop. However, occasionally, I will bump into a countertop that emits higher than 100 CPMs (counts per minute.) This is a little too high for my comfort level and should probably be for yours, too.

Why? Let's put this into context. An average person living at sea level (NYC) acquires about 300 millirems per year of naturally occurring ionic radiation per year.  EPA.gov article on radiation exposure. (Celestial radiation increases with altitude.) 

There is no direct equation for converting CPM (counts per minute) to mSv (milliSieverts) or mrem (milliRem) because beta CPM is an electron count and (micro and milli) sieverts is an account of bodily damage. The EPA suggests an intervention level at 300 CPM with the equivalent ≈ 10 µSv/hr (microSieverts per hour) ≈ 0.01 mSv/hr (milliSieverts per hour) ≈ 1.0 mrem/hr (milliRems per hour.)

Therefore, 100 CPM ≈ 0.33 mrem/hr. So, if someone spent 2 hours every day, 365 days per year, at this particular granite countertop, then their yearly exposure from this countertop alone would be ≈ 241 mrem/year. If you add the typical total exposure at sea level estimated by the EPA then this person’s yearly exposure ≈ 541 mrem.

Another stat to add some context: the Federal Government places a restriction of 500 mrem maximum exposure for anyone under 18 years old who works with or near radiation. 5,000 mrem for an adult. The EPA recommends that a typical citizen’s exposure to background radiation should not exceed 100 mrem per year. In light of this, the background exposure of 241 mrem per year exceeds EPA guidelines by 141 mrem/year, but if you were employed as the home’s chef, then you are far below the 5,000 mrem per year.

 THERE'S MORE TO GRANITE THAN WHAT THE SALESPERSON TELLS YOU.

The levels of radon gas emitted vary from stone to stone and the age of granite stone will directly effect emission levels. Radon gas is a natural residue of the radioactive decay of radium. An old granite stone will emit some radon gas as it ages.

As most know, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, second to smoking cigarettes. In some homes, radon gas is emitted from the ground under the foundation which then leeches into the basement. This is much more of an issue than any granite countertop radon gas emission.

Fortunately, the ill effects of radon gas emitted by a granite countertop can be mitigated by increasing the surrounding room’s airflow, as with other toxic volatile organic compounds. Introducing proper ventilation to any kitchen area is highly recommended.

©2018 All rights reserved.

Metallic Objects and Electromagnetism

Newly proven and verified findings, December, 2019:

Using 3-D radio frequency antennas, hyper-logarithmic antennas, and a certified calibrated spectrum analyzer, I have definitively proven that metallic objects and even partially painted rooms with RF-shielding paint will increase the power density measurements of RF, the reflection rate, the co-signaling interference, and more. In layman’s terminology: adding metal or partial RF shielding only makes matters worse. - James Finn

Original article:

Recently, on a podcast interview an uncertified “EMF Expert,” advised listeners to add metallic objects to their environment to help with electro-sensitivity symptoms. He based this idea on a test he did not describe, to lay out the "science" for another new material he was selling. He claimed that it would adsorb RFR (radio frequency radiation) and miraculously keep it from reaching his customers.

If this person were actually a trained EMRS, he would know why this is a fallacy. I do not make any claims on whether or not his particular material absorbs radio frequencies, since all materials absorb radio frequencies to one degree or another. But, all metals are conductive and reflective of radio frequencies, also.

When an incident wave and its reflective wave collide, a third standing wave is created. This standing wave will have a higher power density than the original incident wave while additionally introducing a new set of harmonic transients to the environment, thereby augmenting the interruptive effect of the original incident wave. Also, depending on the power density of the incident wave and the absorptive/reflective qualities of the metals, then many fractals of standing waves could then be created. This is why we are very much against any partial RF shielding.

Here is what I do know, regarding studies:

1) There are various ways to interpret physical phenomena, experimental results, and data.

2) If you are standing between a radio signal and an EMF absorbent material, the signal has to pass through or around you before it can get to the shield behind you. In NYC, RFR comes from every direction. (This is why installing a partial faraday cage is bad practice.)

3) Even the most intelligent PhD's make fundamental mistakes, especially when operating outside their field of expertise.

When it comes to our EMF mitigation practices, here are the important questions:

1) is the remediation scientifically plausible, 

2) what are the readings on our equipment after EMF shielding has been applied.

Yes. Metallic objects do act as antennas for radio frequencies.  An antenna also absorbs and reflects EMF. What is incorrect is that it makes it "better" for a person to have more metal in their environment.

1) A metallic object will not emit RF, but it will reflect RF. If there is a reflective surface behind you, then you will also receive the reflection.

2) RF reflection will also cause multi-path interference unto itself and couple unto the fields already in the room.

Because RF is electromagnetism, metallic objects, iron in particular, will fill the core of the solenoid effect of RFR and amplify the intensity. This is how and why electromagnets will become up to hundreds of times more powerful when an iron core is inserted inside a solenoid coil. This proprietary diagram spells this out: Iron Core Solenoid

 Iron Core transformers can also exponentially increase voltage.

It's not the material. Many materials block RFR. It's the application and the fundamental problems with the application that are the problem. For example: grounding pads or RFR-blocking clothing.

In the usual application of grounding pads, The user is an electrical conductor and actually becomes a part of the current flowing through the grounding pad. The user's body voltage will read zero, but may actually be conducting several volts. 

If that grounding pad is plugged into the ground of a wall outlet, then it is now corrupting the ground in that circuit, thereby increasing the electromagnetic interference that is already on that circuit. If there are high frequency transients, voltage, and current on the home’s ground conductor, which there often are, then this is back-flowing onto the receiving user, termed: victim.

RF clothing is also a ridiculous EMF gimmick. You may be blocking the radio frequencies with that RF fabric shawl or hat, but you are also wearing an antenna that is attracting more radio frequencies, increasing your skin-body voltage and epidermal frequencies which weaken your cells’ insulators.

The bottom line is that before you go out and spend your hard-earned money on the latest-greatest "EMF shielding device," be sure that it has been checked out by an EMRS. Try to learn more about shielding different frequencies...or, just ask us at Elexana LLC.

©2018 All rights reserved.

A Tiny Secret for the Holidays

For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and sharing. For far too many others, the holidays are filled with emotional struggle; grieving loved ones who have recently passed or grappling with complex painful feelings. This morning, while rummaging through the archives, I found this piece, originally titled, "Try a Little Tenderness." Hopefully, it brings some warmth on this cold winter day.

Try a Little Tenderness

Emotions will be forever with us. They shape our individuality and distinguish our humanity. We can’t control what specific emotions will surface, but we can control what we do with them once they well up.

If we are fortunate, we will most often experience calm waters. There will be turbulence, but hopefully the storms will be short-lived; ebbing and returning to calmer seas once again.

Water is one of the elements in ancient Greek philosophy, in the Asian Indian system Panchamahabhuta, and in the Chinese cosmological and physiological system Wu Xing. In contemporary esoteric traditions, it is commonly associated with the qualities of emotion and intuition. - W.P.

In Taoism, water is used as a metaphor to teach wisdom and the changing nature of all things. Ancient Egyptians believed the world emerged from prehistoric oceans; the God named Nun. In Native American culture, water signifies creation and the flow of life from Mother Earth. Sigmund Freud proposes in The Interpretations of Dreams that it symbolizes sexual desire.

Water, this incredible substance, the chemical compound H2O, is also a significant component of the human body’s composition. On average; 60% of our body weight is of water. The brain and heart are 73% water. Our lungs are 83% water.

Human beings are not only comprised of water, it could be said that we also have strong tendencies to be very much like it.

If you slowly and gently touch the surface of a pool of water with the palm of your hand, it is very soft and giving. Your hand will easily break and penetrate the surface. However, if you slap it with your palm using force, it is extremely rigid and resistant. Your hand will repel off the surface and sting.

Water will assume the shape of any container, vessel, or mold. It will always flow downhill and take the path of least resistance. But, water can also have intense, overwhelming, and destructive powers. When it is agitated, it can destroy cement barriers and lift buildings off of their foundations.

There are many idiomatic expressions that involve water: in deep waters, head above water, in hot water, blown out of the water, like a fish out of water, a flood of emotions, sunken into the depths of despair, and drowning in sorrows.

Emotional and physical distress are aspects of life, intrinsic to the human condition. No matter how good someone may seem to have it, they too will bear their trials and tribulations.

Aren’t the people in our lives what matter most? Without them, what are we? Lonely, miserable, and isolated. They are both impactful and effectual on our inner world. They shape the quality, mood, and condition of our surroundings and reflect the essence we extend or project. Shouldn’t we regard and nurture them as we do ourselves?

For the Lakota, caring for them IS caring for self. Must not we do what is possible to enhance their lives? Are we not the gardeners and caretakers of our duration?

When we lose patience, become aggressive, or angry; we get hard. Like water, people don’t respond well to this. When we tell people what they should do, try to control them, or are forceful and overbearing, aren’t we being hard on them? Aren’t we pushing them away, often inducing the opposite outcome we intended?

Why is being gentle so difficult? Why is tenderness looked upon as a feminine trait when it takes so much courage to be vulnerable and exposed? What is behind the hardness? Is it anger, disappointment, sadness, regret, fear?

Why do we want to crawl up into a ball and disappear when we are upset? …or, retreat into our caves? Why do we punish ourselves even further with separation and isolation?

The next time your wife, husband, child, parent, friend, partner, or co-worker is distressed, angry, distraught, hurt; give them a little space. Be kind. Make them some tea. Make them a sandwich. Listen. They are the most valuable treasure in your life.

The next time YOU feel these things; be fair to yourself. Take note of your thoughts. Think back when you were eight years old. See that cute face, that sweet little person. Be kind and generous to him or her. That is still YOU! That is still your spirit, your heart, your soul. You may think that you’ve changed so much since then, but you really haven’t. That’s still you. Put your arm around that precious child and take a nice walk.

There’s a Tin Pan Alley song by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods that says it all. It was made famous by the Ray Noble Orchestra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Otis Redding. That’s right, it’s called, “Try a Little Tenderness.”

It takes a strong person to touch someone with softness, try a little tenderness…be gentle. Cherish the ones you love.

© 2015. All rights are reserved.