Marble Institute of America: Press Room

New MIA Safety Video, Funded By Dupont Surfaces and Water Treatment Technologies, Tackles Silicosis

CLEVELAND, OH, December 7, 2007— A new safety video produced by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) with grants from DuPont Surfaces and Water Treatment Technologies, will focus on silicosis; a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica (granite dust).

The new video, Silicosis: Incurable but Preventable, will reach the entire natural stone industry in the United States. Over 11,000 natural stone fabricators and distributors will receive the training video via an insert in the February 2008 issue of Stone World magazine. This industry-wide distribution effort is being made possible by a generous grant from the Natural Stone Council. The video expands on a recent Stone News Channel feature that addressed reducing silica exposure through work practices by employers and employees. DuPont Surfaces has also agreed to fund two translations (French and Spanish) when the initial video is completed.

"Silicosis is extremely serious. Lung damage is usually permanent, frequently disabling and may lead to death. While there is no cure for silicosis, it can be prevented," affirmed Paula Perry, Water Treatment Technologies. "Proper work processes are vital to safety and health of everyone in the natural stone industry."

"We are pleased to be working with Water Treatment Technologies to expand and promote the Marble Institute's safety training program for the natural stone industry," said Barbara Hannah, DuPont Surfaces. She added, "Continuing education is the only way to achieve consistency in safety training throughout the marketplace. It eventually benefits the entire industry."

Jim Hogan, the 2008 president of MIA, stated, "On behalf of our entire membership, I sincerely thank DuPont Surfaces and Water Treatment Technologies for making a significant contribution to MIA's on-going safety initiative. We are privileged to have the support of these two member- sponsors."

To order the Silicosis video and other safety related resources, contact MIA at 440-250-9222 or visit www.marble-institute.com.

About DUPONT SURFACES
DuPont Surfaces and Building Innovations is a strategic business unit of DuPont that manufactures and markets Corian^® solid surfaces, as well as Zodiaq^® quartz surfaces and Granite Certified by DuPont™.

About Water Treatment Technologies
Water Treatment Technologies custom designs and installs several patented and patent-pending water filtration and recycling systems developed exclusively for the varied needs of the stone fabrication industry. The Team at Water Treatment Technologies brings together years of stone industry experience and water filtration and recycling expertise dedicated to resolving stone fabricators' recycling and water filtration needs.

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About the Marble Institute of America
For nearly 65 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.