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Radon and radiation from granite countertops are on the agenda for a September scientific Symposium.

The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) meet every September to discuss issues related to radioactive radon gas in homes. This year, AARST will have five peer-reviewed presentations on radioactive granite, plus a panel discussion on the topic.

BOSTON -- For many homeowners, granite is the countertop of choice, but could it pose a health risk?

Debate is simmering around the country about whether granite may emit potentially dangerous radon.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that a Texas physicist who tests granite slabs said there is no question there is a potential for risk. He said some slabs emit much more gamma radiation than what comes naturally from the ground.

"Especially when you have 100 square feet of it or 50 square feet of it in a kitchen," Rice University physicist William Llope said.

"What we can do is tell you that this countertop is more dangerous than this one," said granite salesman Al Gebhart.

Some granite salesmen nationwide go so far as to test what they sell.

"My position is that consumers ought to know that up front and let them decide whether to take it or not," Gebhart said.

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Fears about granite surfaces are largely unfounded, experts say, but a test can quell homeowners' worries.

Homeowners seeking just the right granite for their countertops have something new to ponder, besides which color complements their cabinets. Some are wondering about the radiation and radon gas that might be emanating from those showy slabs.

The topic sent online forums buzzing last summer after a few high-profile media reports, including a New York Times story featuring a doctor who removed her granite after it tested high for radiation, then replaced it with a different granite.

Now scientists, including a Minnesota physicist, are testing slabs, producing papers and debating each other's findings. The Marble Institute of America recently announced it will launch a "Home Approved Stone" program to reassure consumers about granite's safety. And radon professionals say some homeowners now want their countertops tested along with the rest of the house.