I have fantasy brown quartzite countertops what are the negative health aspects?

Beautiful cabinets.

What about Corian Burled Beach?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Corian-2-in-Solid-Surface-Countertop-Sample-in-Burled-Beach-C930-15202BH/203659359

http://solidsurface.com/burled-beach-dupont-corian

Might be helpful

http://brunarhans.com/tag/corian/

If you're concerned about health, use Corian. It is used extensively in hospitals as it does not grow mold or mildew. It's even used in operating rooms!

Pretty cabinets!

I'd like something a little green in there...

I love fantasy brown quartzite, that is probably what I would pick, the radon in quartzite and granite is controversial, but I'm erring on the cautious side.

I'm not sure I like corian due to it being more of a matte look, but I will take a look at the links, thank you everyone for the advice!

Do all Americans hate science? Or do they just not take enough of it to have a basic understanding?

The only stones that have a remote risk to your family are the red granites, usually from Africa. Beyond that, your own back yard is more dangerous than the rock in your kitchen. Unless someone doesn't understand leverage or tensile strength and that stone is not properly supported.

Lots of options with those color cabinets and just wanted to say very pretty cabinets! And so many ... hoping to get that look too! Nice symmetry. Can't wait to see with counter tops :)

I do love my LG White Pearl quartz with my wood cabinets. It has gray, white, cream and beige so works with almost anything. It looks a bit different in different light, so in some pics it looks cooler than others. Pics in my "my pics" idea book.

White pearl is very pretty, thank you! I will definitely try to find a sample of that one.

The unfortunate thing is when you are trying to find a countertop, you have to pick from a tiny little chip. I found 10 inch square samples from my dealer. He let me use them and I was able to decide by putting them together in a corner. My countertop is a Caesarstone that has been discontinued, but it is honed, and I LOVE IT!!! I never have to polish it. It doesn't show stainless steel marks when my pots slide over it. I only clean it with the water from washing dishes. It is very similar to the Caesarstone that you have picked. Here's a photo.

Rebecca

Like Sophie is implying, stop believing junk science articles you read on the net. Get what you love. And if you're that afraid of radon, I suggest you never sit outside in your backyard. Like Sophie said, there's more in your yard than you'll ever find in your granite or quartzite.

Here's quartzite that is Greenguard indoor air quality certified...

https://www.msistone.com/quartzite-countertops/

whatever u decide, i would go on the darker side., u need some contrast or it will all look like one big blob...especially since your floors are the same color only lighter.

FYI: i don't believe in the radon theory either...

good luck!!

Rebecca, that's a good idea, I will try to get some larger samples and see how it looks in the corner. Thank you for kind words! I will look into the green guard quartzite too!

sprtphntc7a, Thanks, I think you're right - it needs something dark to break it up, the picture looks a lot different than in real life, the cabinets aren't that red and the floor is a few shades lighter too.

Fori is not pleased, (haha. love it) you've got me thinking about green now! Except I'm not having much luck finding a good quartz one.

Soapstone is green. :)

I think a light countertop is fine because my wood kitchen with wood floor has everything else light, including appliances, and I like it - keeps it bright and airy.

The LG White Pearl is also sold by Menards under the name of "Flaked Pearl". It is the same LG countertops because mine came from Menards with an LG Hausy label on it and was 3cm thick:). You might want to order through a K and B store, but most of the Menards usually have a kitchen display with it, so you can see more than the sample size.

I think Soapstone would look fantastic. Especially one like Belvedere. It is classic and timeless.

On this thread

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2662540/belvedere-soapstone-question

Scroll down to the pictures of fivefootzero's kitchen and look at her Belvedere and cabinets. Gorgeous. One of my favorite kitchens.

jhmarie, thanks, I do love your cabinets and it does look bright and airy. What is a k & b store?

ravencajun, that kitchen is gorgeous! Love the countertops. Maybe my pick of Viatera lento would look okay afterall. I was worried about it looking too blue but it's grayer than the soapstone, and I think that looked beautiful. Thanks!

K and B is a Kitchen and Bath store - the ones that sell cabinets and countertops:)

To those who think the science behind the radon is junk, and say that your back yard is more dangerous: You do all realize that it is the radon emitted by uranium OUTSIDE one's home that can require radon mitigation inside, right? And I'm not talking about homes only in Africa, but in the US. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers according to EPA estimates. The risk increases 16% per 2.7 pCi/L increase in radon exposure. It is estimated by the National Academy of Sciences that outdoor radon
levels cause approximately 800 of the 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer
deaths in the US each year. So if someone wants to "err on the cautious side", and not elevate that risk by potentially bringing more uranium into their home, where it will be in an enclosed space, it seems like a reasonable stance to take and not something that should elicit responses that insinuate that person knows nothing about science or is somehow gullible or not as educated as yourself. They seem to have a better grasp on the subject than some of you. Your cabinets are gorgeous, btw.

Thank you! I completely agree with you and am not sure why my post caused so much upset, that was never my intent. I just wanted some advice on a countertop. I know everyone's health situation is different, that being said, quartz is the right choice for me and my family. I appreciate everyone's kind words and advice.

Anyhow, I found this picture online, these are my cabinets with Cambria hyde park countertops. This is what my cabinet color really looks like, sorry for the bad picture above. What do you guys think?

hmm, it wont allow me to post the picture, so here is a link

http://foter.com/explore/birch-cabinets

it's the first picture on the left "Contemporary Kitchen Birch Cabinet"

"The risk increases 16% per 2.7 pCi/L increase in radon exposure." While I cannot find that quote in the NAS report, you'd have to know how much radiation is emitted by the quartzite/granite to evaluate how much the risk is increased by your counters. I have been unable to find any studies that quantify radiation through countertops (or other household items, for that matter), except some info in this 2008 article -- still no numbers.http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20080730/granite-countertops-a-recipe-for-danger#4

However, 2.7pCi/L is a lot, see here: NAS report on radon, Executive Summary

More importantly, here's a link to EPA: calculating your yearly radiation dose

and what is average: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-sources-and-doses
It puts the risk from countertops into perspective.

Here's another view of that kitchen. I think the tans and grays of the mosaic tile help tie it all together. Click on the link to see many more photos.

live wood edge island counter - and notice the ceiling detail · More Info

Agreed. 2.7 pCi/L is a lot. The reason you won't find much quantification of radon in countertops is because it's extremely variable. You very well could end up with a granite or quartzite countertop with zero radon emissions. That being said, you could also get one with substantial readings. My point was merely to say that it is a legitimate concern, and not something that makes one ignorant of science. I know the chances of getting a countertop that increases your exposure by 2.7 pCi/L are zero, but as nearly 4% of radon-induced lung cancer deaths are caused by OUTDOOR exposure, not wanting to bring more indoors is a reasonable stance. Especially if there are already radon concerns in the area or existing health concerns with the family.

The link to the quote is here: http://www.radon.com/radon_levels/

According to the World Health Organization, radon causes tens of thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year globally.

http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/env/radon/en/

Love your user name. I have an egg shaped (or pile o' mashed potatoes) cat myself.

Thanks, mayflowers, I pulled another photo of that kitchen from your link:

Kitchen - red birch cabinets, quartz and live wood edge countertops · More Info

I like the counter in this kitchen, which actually surprised me. It is good for me to recognize that for every design rule I believe and cite, noone of them are actually set in stone (radon emitting or not :) Ha ha. Nervously trying to lighten mood.) This kitchen has lots of offsetting dark accents, lights, hardware, tile.

Radon is not the only health concern. A friend of mine has really really bad asthma and had to rule out a lot of countertops (granite sealers, many adhesives, etc. were all no-no's). The safest for her condition were quartz or Corian.

I like the dark accents with it too, barncatz.

What do you science-types think of her choice? ;)

Lol, yes my cat is eggshaped and she's awesome! Glad you have one too :)

I never would have picked that countertop myself, but it does look really pretty. My pendant lights are bronze and I will use the same hardware as in the picture. I'm still thinking of viatera lento too :(

Radon absolutely is a very real concern and a very real danger. No doubt about it. My point is the countertop is the least of it. Any radon given off by a countertop is minuscule to zero compared to what might be in the ground surrounding your property.

Worry more about radon in your basement than from your countertops! (Every few years this comes up... *sigh*)

Yikes I remember this on the news after my granite was installed years ago ugh ... so is quartz safe?

Yikes I remember this on the news after my granite was installed years ago ugh ... so is quartz safe?

Quartz, granite and quartzite are all safe.

Pick a reputable fabricator (talk to friends and relatives for recommendations). Contact the fabricator and have discussions about materials and pick your material. I ordered "tealeaf" pattern Silestone which is a resin/quartz composite which, at least in my mind is not as brittle as Marble or other '"stone" products mined out of quarries. Ask your fabricator to describe what kind of quality you can expect - ie. what will the seams look like (flat with invisible hair line seams sounds like a good description) and make sure that you agree with the planned seam locations; will the countertops be level and flat? to what degree? What will they do if you are not satisfied? (final acceptance should be up to you) Do they work to comply with any industry standards? ("A Homeowner's Guide to Natural Stone Countertop Installation" by the Marble Institute of America is good and most composite manufacturers also have their own. Get everything in writing and read the documentation. Most of these home improvement contracts (Like Home Depot's) are written by lawyers with language designed to protect them - not you. I can't speak for other agreements but Home Depot's warranty language is worthless because it's designed protect them and to mislead you into believing that you are getting a warranty - in reality, the warranty reserves the definition of "workmanship" to Home Depot exclusively - you do not have any rights. Their "warranty" is actually designed only to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. I fell for it and got burned because I trusted Home Depot to be professional and honest but that turned out to be a costly error. When it comes to the installation - watch everything that they do - take photographs - ask questions. Don't sign any document at the site accepting the installation - if you find an error after they leave they will use your signature against you. The best protection would be to have someone on hand that you trust who is knowledgeable about construction to observe the installation. If you see them making a mistake - stop them and ask for a supervisor. Remember the contractor's credo regarding their mistakes, "you can't see it from my house". Good luck.

To add, view the slabs whenever possible, even for quartz, and view and approve the templating.

Stainless steel. Although I'd like copper counters even better in this kitchen.

Phil, thanks for the great advice, some things I hadn't thought of. I believe the business I will be going through is reputable, but I will make sure of these details. Thank you!!

Btw, I do have radon remediation in my basement, still don't want it in my kitchen though :)

Karen, you're countertop is gorgeous! It really looks like soapstone.