G&L responds to the NYTimes article

15 years ago

Good afternoon all,

I have watched the brawls on this forum regarding the NYT article and the CBS broadcast over the last few days with interest.

First of all we must admit Al has come up with something. Just exactly what that something is, we do not know yet. He has shown there are "hot spots" in some granite, and it just so happens that one of the stones is from our quarry.

This has taken us by surprise, and I was not convinced Al had anything until I saw his U-tube video a few months ago.

Al, what is so very disappointing is that at no time did you approach G&L or Stone Africa regarding the information you discovered. THIS is why everyone is skeptical of your motives. If you really were concerned for the granite consumer, don't you think you would have made the call?

As for a "hot spot" that has a one in a million, or one in a hundred thousand shot of possibly being linked to a long term cancer risk, What does one do with that information?

That is what G&L has been working on since we saw the video. One of our partners just returned from Africa yesterday morning and I will be in Brazil next week, this will definitely be the topic of conversation.

We have been contacting experts, talking to the MIA and evaluating the information. Unfortunately there just is not enough information to draw a conclusion.

BUT, Al, has already jumped to conclusions and decided to use fear as a way to draw attention to this matter. Look at his 50 pack a day thread. FEAR? or reason?

Thankfully, it is apparant the majority of this forum looks at him and his tactics with disdain.

G&L has always led this industry with unrivaled service, we have stood behind our products even after installation and will continue to do so.

I will keep you posted on anything we discover.

Kind regards

James Gross

Purchasing

G&L Marble

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Comments (12)

revans1
15 years ago
Thanks so much for this post. It is a very responsible thing for you to do, especially considering the tentative nature of the results thus far. I look forward to hearing more as this issue develops.

If I can offer a word of advice, for you and for the other people who may respond here: please don't attempt to engage Al. It is clear that nothing of value to rational and reasonable people could possibly come from it. He is irrelevant and unnecessary now. Sad, because as you say he did actually stumble across one possibly real, though probably fairly isolated, issue. Now that it has seen the light of day, all of us will be far, far better off if we pursue answers in a calm, rational, realistic fashion.

Thanks again for posting. You deserve much respect for having done so.
kevin_ii
15 years ago
According to yesterdays updated release from the EPA there should be no concerns!

If anyone has concerns then they should test for radon - it's simple and effective for solving this issue. It does not require anyone to go out and buy a geiger counter and can be done for around $25.00.

Go over to the EPA site and look in the FAQ section.

I would post a link but then I would prefer people go find it themselves...

I think the EPA, CDC, and the AMA are all crediable sources to contact regarding this matter.
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mahatmacat1
15 years ago
I have no dog in this race, but the line "According to yesterdays updated release from the EPA there should be no concerns" made me burst out laughing. The EPA??!

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Jean Farrell
15 years ago
I think it is very responsible and smart of you to take the information seriously, but not to assume that anything you have read, either from Al or from the EPA, for that matter, is the be all and end all of information. There have been no really reliable or credible studies done thus far, but the information is out there, and some of my fellow attorneys will no doubt be out in force on this one, so you would do well to do some due diligence.

We should all take all the information with a grain of salt, but I also don't want to ignore the information because it has been put out there by crazies. I'm sure when people first started talking about the dangers of asbestos, lots of people thought it was ridiculous. So it is worth looking into, but I seriously doubt that I will be ripping out my brand new countertops any time soon.
vrjames
Original Author
15 years ago
When I was in high school, I did prep in a restaurant. We dumped MSG on everything.

Now we don't.

This issue will work itself out. And we will move forward.

Blessings
karenfromknoxville
15 years ago
Hi,

I hate to be the "doubting Thomas" in this but....why did the purchasing manager from G & L Marble use vrjames' GW member name? Why not his own? Why not issue a major press release? I got my granite from G & L and have been waiting for them to make some comment or rebuttal. Same thing for MIA.

I can understand not wanting to feed into this frenzy, but damage control is in order. Afterall the article was in the New York Times otherwise it could be easily ignored. I would imagine the granite & marble business is taking a bit of a hit with the housing crisis. This is definitely bad PR for them on top of the downturn in new housing. Their silence speaks volumes. I think that was the rationale Bill V used as to why he fights the good fight.

In any event, until I hear something definite from a credible organization or institute like the Center for Environmental Oncology of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, I don't think I'll spend much time worrying over this issue. Besides I think there is much more concern trying to determine the ultimate verdict on cell phones, is the usage linked to cancer or not???

My 2 cents worth!

Karen
laxsupermom
15 years ago
karenfromknoxville, the purchasing manager's name is James. I'd have to guess he is vrjames. An awful lot in the NYT can be ignored like tumbled marble and glass tile being passe.

I haven't weighed in on this, yet, because I don't have and am not planning on granite counters. I've been in love w/ soapstone for ages and am just now able to afford them.

I think that part of the frenzy is because the language of the dialogue has been so incendiary. Personally it is easier for me to come down on the side of the "is there anything that exists that isn't known to cause cancer to the state of CA" folks. (Full disclosure: I have rock-climbed, bungee jumped, used a cell phone, use DEET for deer ticks when hiking, etc.) I also feel like Al only posts about this one issue so that it feels spammish, whereas Bill, sue, kevin, etc. tend to post often with words of encouragement or advice. Spam is a turnoff for me. I don't condone rudeness, but I understand why others might slam their phone down when a telemarketer calls. Al's repetitive posts feel like spam-like cold calls.

JMHO
vrjames
Original Author
15 years ago
Karen,

I have been contirbuting on this site for the past 4 years, purely as a personal endeavor to assist with granite installation issues. I have never hid the fact that I work for G&L but I do not lead with the information either. I printed and forwarded your compliments a few months ago for the owner and Wil at our Knoxville location

G&L is working on its response and will post it on the website soon.

The owner asked me to place this message, which I have done. This is the beginning of a long fight for us.

Blessings
bill_vincent
15 years ago
God Bless you, my friend. Give it all you've got. If I can be of any help, don't hesitate to ask.
karenfromknoxville
15 years ago
Dear vrjames,

Thank you for your quick response. G & L Marble was great! Will helped me a lot and was most patient. I forget the owner's (or was it the manager's) name but I remember that he was most helpful too.

Since Triton sold my granite out from under me with the lame excuse that "the tag must have blown off", I've been trying to steer as many people as I can to G & L. My KD was furious at Triton and extremely disappointed in the service we received. She is also trying to send her clients to G & L.

As I stated previously, I'm looking forward to G & L's response and will be happy to help out in any way I can.

Karen
karenfromknoxville
15 years ago
Hi vrjames and laxsupermom,

I apologize for being slow and not putting the GW name vrjames and James Gross together. I didn't know vrjames worked for G & L Marble and that vrjames may be his GW name. I guess working for a granite/marble company on this web site can be a double edged sword if not handled correctly.

laxsupermom, I like your attitude about life. I think that's the way we need to live!

Karen
bill_vincent
15 years ago
quite a few of us fall into that same boat. Stonegirl and her husband have a fabrication shop, as well. Me-- I'm an installer. Although I work mostly with tile, I HAVE installed slab. As for Paulines, she's a KD who for all intents and purposes, more or less got her start right here. But man, did she pick it up quick! Of course, she had a helluva teacher!

G&L responds to the NYTimes article

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G&L responds to the NYTimes article

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