In response to spurious claims made about radiation levels in granite, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) have acted quickly to challenge assertions made by members of the Solid Surfaces sector, by publishing The Truth About Granite & Radon/Radiation.
This document delivers a firm rebuttal of claims made by individuals and organizations which have made misleading statements about granite, radon and radioactivity. Members of industry who wish to download the MIA publication on the subject can do so by clicking on the following link : www.marble-institute.com
Suffice to say that the publication of unsubstantiated material which casts granite in a bad light is viewed by the ASAA Board as highly inappropriate. Similar claims could be made about man-made or manufactured surfaces. Supporters of wholly natural materials could argue that ‘the insignificant but natural radon emission from natural stone probably presents a lower risk than reactivation of resin volatiles in man-made or manufactured surfaces.
It is more likely that food prepared on a manufactured surface will absorb such loose resin volatiles than it is that food prepared on a natural stone bench top will be affected by anything related to that material’s properties or characteristics.
It should be remembered that with man-made products we are talking about a binder (that is used to hold together the natural stone pieces) that has safety restrictions on its use by humans in relation to breathing and contact.
Natural stone has been used by mankind for thousands of years and is part of the natural environment, whereas polyester resins are a fairly recent man-made product and who knows what long term issues may develop as a result of their current use.’
On 2 September, MIA published a new statement, ‘Consensus building among state health and environmental officials nationwide: Granite counter tops do not pose a health risk to consumers’ which features statements by various health departments and environmental agencies which have gone on record to reassure the public that no corroborated scientific research suggests that granite counter tops pose any significant health threat.
Many Australian suppliers and processors of stone market or process natural and engineered stone products. At the end of the day consumers make their purchasing decision based on the information provided by sales staff and materials they discover in various publications and on the internet.
ASAA cannot object to the existence of engineered stone or anyone’s right to buy this material in preference to natural stone. Clearly engineered stone is not going to vanish overnight, however ASAA is determined to raise its voice in protest over the publication of material which unfairly, in ASAA’s opinion, vilifies granite or any other natural stone product.
The MIA have initiated a fighting fund to contest the claims made by segments of the Solid Surface sector. ASAA are contributing $500 to the cause.