So even a granite quarry that is rich in radon produces slabs how much could be stored in a slab after in has been quarried and processed? Stu, I agree it is not a concern, and I value your contributions to this forum, but I think you are missing the process and why it matters. The radon in question started life as U238 (the most common isotope of uranium) in the granite. That uranium decays (through a series of reactions that do not concern us here) into radon (Rn222). As you point out, radon is chemically inert, so it is no longer bound to the rock. It is free to migrate and diffuse out of the rock and into the air. You are correct that this would not be such a big problem -- how much is in your lungs at any one time, after all? However, it decays to an unstable isotope of polonium (Po218), which, of course, is NOT chemically inert. Let's say it reacts and sticks to a dust particle. This dust particle may make it into your lungs and stick. The Po218 goes on to decay into lead (Pb214), then bismuth (Bi214), then back to polonium (Po214), then back to lead (Pb210), then back to bismuth (Bi210), then back to polonium (Po210), then finally to a stable isotope of lead (Pb206), giving off energy at each of these steps. So, the real problem arises because all of these subsequent decays are taking place in the same spot, viz., your lung. (Although, truth be told, the antepenultimate step in that chain takes 22 years, so the last 3 decays are probably not going to take place in your body!) The saving grace, however, is that the levels are low, as assessed in the papers that Karin provided.

Colld - You are awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know where to find the Virginia Mist and Jet Mist. Basically I think I need to work backwards - start with the supplier and then find a fabricator who works with them I guess. It sounds like PMI is great. I looked up the stones you mentioned and they are gorgeous! I have never seen the Giallo Matisse - totally beautiful. Will you do them in a different finish? or keep them polished? Eastcoastmom - who did you use to install? Are you in Philly, too? What stone did you choose? I think I need to schedule a babysitter and then do a day long trip of driving to these places. They are probably 1 1/2 hours away from where I live, but well worth the trip if I actually find something I like. I'm completely confused now that the KD said I couldn't pull off Virginia Mist. So I guess I have to rethink everything, even if I go back to VM as what I want. Thanks everyone for all of your kind words and advice. This forum is SO helpful to me right now!

We've had people trigger the radiation detectors coming into the nuclear plant due to eating too many bananas. One person in the USA I believe had radiation poisoning from eating too many Brazil nuts. I think the max you should eat are 1 or 2 per day. It does have to do with where they are grown and natural soil radiation. It's everywhere around us and some places just have higher levels than others. Not necessarily dangerous - that's how it is. Shielding is not necessary from such low radiation levels. You will get much more radiation directly from the sun, flights, medical x-rays, rain, snow, etc. I also assume nobody sleeps in their plants, soil mixes, smoke detectors, antiques, propane lanterns, or counter tops all day long every day of their lives. For shielding against significant radiation levels we primarily use heavy concrete, water, lead, and distance.

Whew! I'm glad this thread got back on track. There is a lot of helpful info here. I have acquired a couple of samples of both. I really, really, like the look of the Virginia Mist (not the one that is also called Jet Mist) honed, but the granite place is telling me it will definitely stain in its honed version and suggested leathered, which I don't love. "ngcurt" mentioned "antiqued" Virginia Mist. I have never heard of antiqued. What is that? I have played with the samples of soapstone from Alberene and went to the quarry to choose a slab, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I can definitely scratch it all up with my fingernail and dent the end with a pot easily. However, I have yet to permanently stain it with anything acidic while ketchup and lemon juice for 30 min barely etched the granite surfaces. I left marks all over the granite with a key and have yet to get them off, even with suggested acetone... Oil definitely sits on the soapstone, but I haven't tried Simple Green as "athome inva" mentioned. Never thought of that. It seems like an easy solution. The quarry said to use denatured alcohol. Didn't happen to have that around. I'm surprised yours darkened so quickly. I think I would like that. But Alberene had a piece in their office that was used to create a "cabinet" and its top. The unoiled cabinet was still very light while the waxed top was very dark. I wonder if they are now quarrying a different vein than what you have? It is all quite beautiful. After speaking to the granite fabricator, I am now a bit more nervous about trying the granite than the soapstone because I have no idea how I would remove stains from granite. I had thought it was pretty indestructible. "Sabrina Alfa Interiors"--Are you saying that the drawback to black honed granite is really just the fingerprints? I think I could live with fingerprints as long as the stone and the finish itself is not actually damaged. Also, there is the leathered version of AB that really doesn't show anything. It looks like cheap Formica, but it seems to be extremely durable. The black is beautiful. Any thoughts? For that matter, there is a leathered "Virginia Mist," too. Also looks like cheap Formica, but it would be durable and would probably hide a lot. Thank you guys so much for all the input. Of course, I will still accept more of it. :) It seems there are pros and cons to both, so I almost feel like flipping a coin or choosing based on price.