This week, the Synergist (journal of the American Industrial Hygiene Association) questioned whether granite is a “green” countertop material. Granite countertops are wildly popular, especially in the Bay Area.
However, scientists are cautioning that use of granite has a cost to the planet, as well as health concerns for both homeowners and fabricators. Granite purchased here in the Bay Area and installed in a San Carlos home was so radioactive that the homeowners had it removed to protect their health.
Scientists pointed out that granite countertops have a substantial environmental footprint. Granite quarries are open pit mines, often thousands of miles from the final destination of the product.
Much of the granite used in the United States is quarried in Brazil, but considerable amounts come from India, Africa, and China. Only a small percentage of the decorative granite used in the U.S. is quarried domestically or in Canada.
Many of the granite blocks that are blasted from quarries are damaged and not suitable for use, leaving considerable waste at the site of origin. Slabs that are suitable for use are typically transported thousands of miles for polishing, often to Europe or Asia. Polished slabs are then shipped to the U.S. and trucked to distributors across the country.
Fabrication of granite slabs for installation has additional environmental costs. The waste from granite fabrication (about 30 percent for a typical installation) is not typically reused or recycled. Cutting and shaping granite are energy-intensive processes, and fabrication shops consume many saw blades, grinding wheels, and router bits. The metal in those tools has its own environmental cost.
The Synergist also addressed health risks to both homeowners and granite fabricators. Articles over the next few days will Examine those topics.
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