Letters
Revisiting Granite Safety
To the Editor:
I was disappointed to see the
article “Costly Stone—Alter-
natives to Granite Counter-
tops” by Linda Kincaid, David
Bernhardt and Al Gerhart (Jan-
uary 2010 Synergist) because it:
• Only cites the authors’ own
work in alleging that granite
poses health risks, ignoring
published, peer-reviewed sci-
entific studies.
• Did not cite a single dissent.
Countless environmental and
health experts dismiss charges
that granite countertops pose
health risks.
• Ignores the fact that regulations
protect granite workers from dust.
We are weary of efforts to create
controversy about granite where none
has been detected by rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific testing. And, to be
clear, we are aware of no serious scientific journal that has published research
showing that granite countertops pose a
health risk.
The Marble Institute of America (MIA)
is a non-profit association of more than
1,500 small businesses that make up most
of America’s natural stone industry. We
believe your article is sadly misleading
and ask that you set the record straight.
[Continued: 10]
The opinions expressed in letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AIHA® or The
Synergist®. All letters submitted are for possible publication. The Synergist reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit
letters for space and clarity. Letters that include inappropriate personal comments will not be published. To preclude a single
discussion from dominating the letters page, replies to letters will be posted on the Synergist blog, www.aiha.org/news-pubs/
synergist/synergistblog/ default.aspx.