Marble Institute of America: Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIA Finds Serious Flaws with Bernhardt/Gerhart/Kincaid Granite Study

CLEVELAND, OH, August 3, 2009 — A staunch proponent of stone industry employee safety, the Marble Institute of America has found serious flaws with a report that was presented at the Health Physics Society's 54th Annual Meeting held in Minneapolis on July 13th, 2009 and disseminated to state radiation safety agencies via the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD). This report, entitled "Potential Occupational Exposure, Fabrication of Granite Counter Tops" was authored by Dave Bernhardt, CHP; Al Gerhart; and, Linda Kincaid, CIH. The report raises concerns about radiation exposure related to airborne dust in granite fabrication facilities.

MIA President Guido Gliori stated, "there are serious flaws with the methodologies, assumptions and conclusions cited in the Bernhardt/Gerhart/Kincaid report. The MIA is committed to employee safety, working with credible scientific organizations, and continuing its ongoing work with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)."

Environmental Health & Engineering (EH&E), a reputable scientific consulting firm that has worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the methodologies, assumptions and conclusions cited in the Bernhardt/Gerhart/Kincaid report. Their findings are attached:

July 7th Response to a Bernhardt/Gerhart/Kincaid communication to the CRCPD
July 24th Response to a Bernhardt/Gerhart/Kincaid report presented at the Health Physics Society's 54th Annual Meeting.

In short, it was found that the authors used scientifically indefensible methods to draw conclusions (which cannot be relied upon) regarding exposures to workers and the public.

Over the past 18 months the natural stone industry has been viciously attacked by individuals and organizations that seem to have a financial incentive in destroying the public's perception of the safety and durability of natural stone products, particularly granite. Gliori added, "the MIA will continue to rely upon credible science and work with credible scientific organizations."

For more information about the MIA's commitment to employee safety and its safety initiatives, go online.

About the Marble Institute of America
For over 60 years the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the world's leading information resource and advocate for the natural dimension stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.