Well, I can only give you my personal experience (whether that is "fact" or not is up to you) but I do have chemical sensitivities and had no problem at all when we put a cultured marble vanity top in our home. It was in a mostly-open (large cutouts) box when we purchased it from Lowes so I would guess it had already done what offgassing it was going to do before then. Did you Google 'MSDS "cultured marble"'? I found one MSDS in less than ten seconds.

Yes and no. Here in Houston, TX builders are still putting them in second baths in tract homes. Remodelers are pulling them out of master baths in favor of granite. A fabricated vanity from a granite remnant is cheaper than one from cultured marble. Remember, cultured marble is only as good as the fabricator shop because everything is done by hand - painting the gel gloss coat in the form (thickness), pouring the cultured marble mix into the form and then the finishing sanding and polishing. The quality of the binders and colorant in the shop's recipe can affect the appearance. The gelcoat is really fiberglass and will yellow over time. I do not see a lot of innovation in styles and colors even here in Houston where there are still a lot of shops. If you do go this route, check out Houzz.com for ideas. Most cultured vanities now are using tile for the backsplash and more modern shaped sinks. Be careful of the quality of the big box store vanities. Laminate is not used that much. If you do go to Houzz you will see it used especially in modern baths. I still think it is a nice alternative if you use a tile backspash and a current edge. If you go this route, select a drop in sink that makes a statement - order a nice sink online. Laminate has increased in price to where it is not the totally cheap alternative that it once was. You will probably have to have a contractor install the sheet on site or go to a countertop shop and have them make one in their shop because the premade styles are very limited in the big box stores. The preformed backsplash will date you so use tile instead.

Thank you all! I'm glad to hear that the extra hole shouldn't be a problem in situ. The backsplash for the sink run will also be carrara marble. The backsplash for the range run will be white heath ceramic tile I found in the seconds/overstock--the only way I could afford it. Two faucets so people can wash hands and get drinks while I am also working at the sink. I couldn't get a prep sink to fit in my layout to my satisfaction so I went with the huge kohler stages 45 and two faucets. (The faucets will be on the sides because the sink run is shallower than standard (old house) and after a lot of going in circles I decided this was the best solution. )

I have cultured marble in my bathrooms -- it's original to the house, which was built in 1970. Mine are not unlike this picture, though my sinks are shell-shaped, and I don't have the fancy edge: Things I can say about them: - In spite of being almost 50 years old, these countertops are in perfect condition. No stains, no chips. - The sinks are integrated, meaning no seams to clean, no possibility of leaks. - The sinks are too shallow, which means that water splashes back up at us. Of course, this may just be our particular sinks -- the sink in the picture above appears to be a nice depth. - LIke the above picture, my sinks can only accept a small faucet ... whereas, I'd prefer a wide-set that would be easier to clean. If you choose cultured marble, it's almost certainly coming to you "as is", whereas with granite you can choose where you want the holes to be drilled. - It's not a look that's trendy or cutting edge, but it also doesn't look "old" like tile or some other items could. Would I put them in a new house? Yeah, I would. They wear like iron, and they're just kind of "plain". Plain stands the test of time. Incidentally, I have the same material on the walls /ceiling of my shower. I do get soap scum and mold on the shower walls, but it's super-easy to wipe away. I think my showers are bad for this because they're small /have low ceilings and are enclosed with glass doors ... little air circulation.