Marble Works creates several granite alternatives that are heat resistant, stain resistant, repairable, and don't require ongoing maintenance. Granite is often times the default thinking for your countertop surface but the more you know the less you'll like about granite in your home. Besides the fact that granite is porous and requires ongoing maintenance to prevent stains and mildew growth, Dr. Oz tells us another unadvertised reason to not use granite in your home. You can see his whole article at http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/your-home-toxic-waste-dump. Here is an excerpt...
Toxic Trouble Spot: Granite Countertops
Granite, a popular rock used to fabricate kitchen countertops, emits radon, a naturally occurring gas that has radioactive properties. Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking. Experts recommend you test your granite countertops and at your home's foundation level to see how much radon is being emitted. Testing only on the countertop could provide a false sense of security since radon gas tends to accumulate at floor level.
