Have a question for Mom Detective? Submit it here.
MELINDA IN MISSISSIPPI ASKS:
After saving up for years, we’re finally renovating our kitchen. We have a baby, so I’m hoping to use safe materials. While researching, I read a scary article about countertops causing lung disease. Can you tell me what countertops are safe, easy to find, and not too expensive?
MOM DETECTIVE ANSWERS:
Hi, Melinda. Kudos for trying to be careful about building materials during a renovation, especially with a baby at home. Babies are uniquely vulnerable to toxic chemicals, and renovation can be a perfect storm of indoor air pollutants—from demolition dust and debris, especially in older homes containing lead and asbestos, to fumes emitting from things like glue in new materials. The allure of renovation, design, and decor is real, but in my experience, not enough families are aware of the possible health hazards of these construction projects. The more we talk about safer renovation, the more people learn, so thanks for reaching out.
Tell Congress: Protect Families From the Plastics and Petrochemical Industry
Countertop concerns
There is a dizzyingly large number of possible health concerns with countertops, depending on the material. And there are a lot of materials! Maybe you’ve already run across information about the resins used to make engineered quartz products or formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in the composite wood used underneath laminate surfaces. Some countertop materials are generally considered safe, like natural stone, but if these are then coated or sealed with products containing unsafe chemicals, like PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which have been linked to cancer and developmental problems, they become something worth avoiding.
Still, it can be confusing to know what to avoid. One general rule of thumb is to pay attention to product claims. Like, if a countertop claims to be antimicrobial, I listen! Without even knowing what chemical that countertop has in it, I am aware that some antimicrobials can disrupt hormone function and have been associated with developmental and reproductive issues, plus antibiotic resistance. So an antimicrobial countertop would be a pass for me.
With so many countertop options, it may be easiest to narrow down what look you’re going for in your kitchen and then do safety research based on that. In terms of cost, cheaper materials like laminate can also pose the most health concerns. But this is not always the case (see safer options below). Here’s a little more information on a few common countertop materials:
- Quartz: Also called engineered stone, quartz contains silica. Breathing the dust generated when quartz is cut has been linked to silicosis, a lung disease. Silicosis is especially of concern for the workers who do the cutting. Some states have issued regulations to protect workers, but these are not widespread. In terms of your safety at home, it’s better to use pieces not cut on site and to pay attention to what’s in any sealants or coatings used.
- Granite: Like all stone, granite may contain naturally occurring radioactive elements that decay into radon, the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Still, EPA says there isn’t “sufficient data” to conclude that granite countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels. As we wait for more sufficient data, if there’s another material you find attractive that doesn’t emit radon, why not choose it? (And if you haven’t tested your home yet for radon, experts say it’s a good idea.)
- Ceramic: Habitable Future, the organization formerly known as Healthy Building Network, suggests avoiding ceramic countertop materials that may contain contaminated recycled content or lead-based glazes. Lead, a neurotoxin, is particularly harmful for growing brains.
- Plastic: If you’ve read any Mom Detective Q&As before, you know I am not a fan of plastic, a petrochemical product that’s bad for humans, the earth, and our climate from manufacture to landfill. Countertops that are largely plastic include cultured marble and laminate. Choose something nonplastic.
Safer options for countertops
Generally speaking, materials like stainless steel, glass, and solid bamboo won’t likely have too many pitfalls, especially if they also have no surface coatings or don’t need to be sealed after installation. Concrete is a surprisingly inexpensive and good option. Some porcelain slabs, quartz, and natural stone can be safer too, preferably without sealants. Solid wood is also a good choice, though things like butcher block tend to require sealants. A simple way to find the safest, least toxic coatings without falling down a research rabbit hole or going back to school for a chemistry degree so you can read products’ Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is to shop exclusively at “green” building supply stores. I’ve seen companies selling post-consumer composite paper countertops, which sound interesting but I would need to know how they bind it together before purchasing as pressed composite wood can contain unsafe glues. Always ask questions when shopping!
Given the wide range of hazardous substances potentially found in countertops, I suggest setting yourself up for success by only shopping at kitchen design stores that know a thing or two about sustainable materials. Asking tons of questions at a big box store with little focus on indoor air pollution may yield a lot of blank stares—and not a lot of information. I know this from experience. Also, look for countertops with third-party certification that back up any material claims. Here are some resources and certifications that might be useful:
- Habitable Future Countertops Product Guidance
- Cradle to Cradle Certified Products
- S. Green Building Council LEED Eligible Products
- Environmental Working Group’s Kitchen Cabinet and Countertops Guide
- Greenguard Gold Certification for Building Materials
A note for renters
Not all families are able to renovate so I wanted to share some thoughts about countertop material safety for those of us stuck with whatever surfaces our rental kitchens come with.
- Open your windows! If your countertop appears to be granite, you can test for radon. Test or no test, anyone can just open windows whenever the weather allows as the way to deal with unsafe radon levels in a home is increased ventilation. This also improves overall indoor air quality in any kitchen. Even better? It’s free.
- Chipped tiles. It’s a good idea to test chipped tile countertops for lead, and to take precautions if needed. This may involve using a safe sealant or epoxy from a green building supply store. When repairing, taking lead-safe precautions or hiring a trained repair person is a must.
- Older laminate. New laminate countertops are usually made by gluing a plastic material (frequently melamine) to some sort of composite wood (like particleboard). Glues in composite wood can off-gas formaldehyde into your indoor air. Over time, depending on the laminate, these emissions diminish, so an older countertop may actually be safer than a new one. Opening your windows will also help with off-gassing laminate.
Renovation projects are always more work than anticipated. But when it comes to new countertops and kitchen renovations, it’s well worth the extra effort to find a safe material you can enjoy, worry-free, for many years to come.
Tell Congress: Protect Families From the Plastics and Petrochemical Industry