The National Kitchen & Bath Association Weighs in on the Countertop Scare

NKBA-certified designers have learned how to avoid the carcinogenic chemical element radon in granite countertops.

by Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 8/6/2008

How can you avoid radon in your countertop? Book a NKBA-certified designer when planning to remodel a kitchen or bath, says the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the non-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS). The organization recently issued a statement in response to increased publicity from news organizations including The New York Times on the dangers of the carcinogenic chemical element radon, produced by the radioactive decay of the element radium.

To achieve certification, Associate Kitchen & Bath Designers (AKBDs), Certified Kitchen Designers (CKDs), Certified Bathroom Designers (CBDs), and Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designers (CMKBDs) must learn the proper methods for eliminating radon and other hazardous gases from the home. These safety techniques are also covered  in the NKBA Professional Resource Library volume Kitchen and Bath Systems.

"In addition to radon, NKBA-certified designers are familiar with many other health concerns in kitchen and bath remodels that most consumers have never considered," says the NKBA.

Visit NKBA to find a certified designer.

Want more details on how radon can effect your health? Check out the Marble Institute of America, which has an in-depth analysis of radon levels and granite available in its 2008 Radon Study (pdf).