EPA Confirms The Safety Of Granite Countertops!
Some of you may have heard the false claims regarding radon and granite countertops that have been circulated recently throughout the media that have created consumer confusion and a scare. The claims were made by an independent group, which were in fact, funded by two companies that manufacture engineered stone. Fortunately, consumers can rest at ease because the EPA has confirmed the safety of granite countertops.
It is really sad when a competing product/company has to rely on lies to help sell their product. I don’t know about you, but I would sure question a company that promotes themself with the use of lies. It tells you something about their character and how they run their overall business.
Granite has been used for building for centuries. Its strength, durability, and beauty speak for itself, and the stone industry doesn’t need to make up lies to consumers to get people to buy it.
While this isn’t the first time there have been lies spread regarding granite and radon, it probably won’t be the last either. As a consumer, it is important to know your facts and do your research, especially when it comes to product safety.
Following are some links for you to read and help with your research on the topic from the MIA, Marble Institute of America:
- http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/granite_radoninfo.cfm
- http://www.marble-institute.com/pressroom/pr072908.cfm
- http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/talkingpoints-072908.cfm
- http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/radontesting_u-akron2008.pdf
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Company, Granite, Industry News on July 31st, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Boycott Those Plastic Bags!
I don’t know about you, but I never have liked those plastic bags you get at various grocery, or department stores. They are flimsy, and your groceries never stay in them properly. When asked, “Do you want paper or plastic?,” my response was always, “Paper!” Several months ago, however, I purchased several re-useable cloth bags, which I like much better. They hold way more items, and are environmentally friendly.
I don’t know if you are a fan of the plastic bag, but I wanted to pass along a link regarding them that I received the other week. It is very interesting and has some astonishing information in it. Hopefully after reading it, you will change your mind about plastic bags and either bring your own, or use the paper bag (if they even offer it)!
(Use the bar on the right side of the slideshow to scroll through it.)
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016
Thanks for reading and please pass it along!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on July 29th, 2008 by Barb | | 8 Comments
Recipe: Ham & Cheese Strata
Here’s a good recipe to try for breakfast. It is easy to make and also works great for brunch.
Ham & Cheese Strata
2 cups cubed ham
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 cups milk
6 eggs
1-1/2 cups cornflake crumbs
1/4 cup butter melted
Bread with crust removed
Grease a 13″ x 9″ pan. Put a layer of bread on the bottom of the pan. Place ham & cheese on top of the bread in the pan and cover with layer of bread. Whisk eggs & milk together and pour over the bread. Cover and refrigerate over night. Let warm to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Mix cornflake crumbs with butter and sprinkle on the top. Bake 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees. Let set for 15 minutes and serve.
Enjoy!
Barb
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on July 25th, 2008 by Barb | | 4 Comments
Won’t Back Down!
Summer is a always a great time to enjoy a concert, and last night, we enjoyed a good one…Tom Petty. As usual, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers put on great show, which was held this year, at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. The show included several of his classics including: “Free Falling,” “Running Down a Dream,” “Breakdown,” and of course an on-core ending with…”American Girl.”
The song however, that struck me was, “I Won’t Back Down!” It is funny how song lyrics make you think about certain things. While listening to the lyrics, I thought to myself, “This could be the theme for the stone industry.” With the rise in myths and false claims, the industry is fighting back, and “Won’t Back Down,” especially in regards to radon.
Anyway—enough about these thoughts about work. Back to the concert…The music was good and overall, the show was a hit for both fans young and old.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following is the playlist from the concert:
- You Wreck Me
- Listen to Her Heart
- I Won’t Back Down
- Even the Losers
- Free Fallin
- Mary Jane
- End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys)
- Breakdown
- Saving Grace
- A Face in the Crowd
- Honey Bee
- Learning to Fly
- Don’t Come Around Here No more.
- Refugee ENCORE
- Runnin’ Down a Dream
- Gloria (Van Morrison)
- American Girl
Following are some photos from the concert:
Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Posted in Granite, Uncategorized on July 24th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Fighting the “Anti-Granite Campaign”
As I was reading the July 2008 issue of Kitchen & Bath Design News yesterday, I came across an article titled, MIA Creates Fund to Fight ‘Anti-Granite Campaign’. With so much misleading and false information on the market regarding granite, I was happy to see that the Marble Institute of America (MIA) had kicked off this campaign last month. While I knew about the campaign prior to reading this article, the article makes it clear that the natural stone industry is making a concerted effort to repair the damage that has been done and prevent more damage from occurring.
The campaign was spurred by a “recent assertion by a Houston-based not-for-profit association whose home testing concluded that potentially harmful levels of radon are emitted by granite countertop surfaces.” The article also points out that the testing, according the to the MIA, was underwritten by two major suppliers of natural quartz products. The MIA has refuted the claims and is now asking their members to join in the fight.
For more information on the “Truth about Granite Fund” contact the MIA.
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Granite, Industry News on July 23rd, 2008 by Angie | | 2 Comments
