Having said that, how exactly does one go about testing a slab in the granite yard before purchasing it? Since I haven't bought it yet I'd prefer, at the very least, to know whatever is available out there abut the granite I'm getting. Eyes wide open.

The radon test kits all seem to be made for granite that are already in place in your home. I think it's highly unlikely that the granite yard will let me leave my testing stuff overnight.

The stone I found that I love has a name I've never heard before, (Oscura, but I've also seen it called Silver Waves - I think all these names are made up by the granite yards) and which doesn't show up at all when I Google it. It's from India, black, but with a lot of gray swirls and movement. I'd like to test it before buying but I just have no idea where to begin.

If it turns out to be one of the hottest granites around, myabe I'd keep looking for something else. I don't know, but I want to make an informed choice.

I don't think this is a non-issue. The Rice professor said that of the 55 granites he tested a handful were hot. A handful of 55 sounds to me like 8-10 percent. So I think it is worth testing before you buy. Also, to be blunt, your reproductive organs sit close to counter level. So I don't buy the "well, I'm not laying on it" line of thought.

Here is a link to the company from which I am renting the Geiger counter:

from the web::
Simple hand-held Geiger Counters are not calibrated for measuring ONLY the radon-producing Radium in granite. This means they will almost always over-respond when attempting to measure the radon emissions.

2. Not all the radiation coming from the granite that makes the clicking sound comes from radon-producing Radium. In most cases the noise is produced by two other naturally occurring elements: Potassium and Thorium. In fact, up to 95% of the Geiger Counter clicks may come from the Potassium. Potassium is very common and is found in our own bodies, as well as many foods and vitamin supplements.

"

Thanks.

Jennibg, I know that Geiger counters cannot accurately measure radon in the home, but I am looking to use it as a measure of the relative radioactivity of one slab versus another. I am not able to bring a slab I am considering into my home and measure for radon over a few days. For a $35 rental fee, the Geiger counter will offer some peace of mind.

I realize Geiger counter testing is imperfect. You will get some false positives (stone testing radioactive, but in fact fine), but not any false negatives (stone testing quiet when it is in fact hot). I'm glad I tested.