June 26, 2009
A nationwide warning was issued yesterday, cautioning granite fabricators
about radiation exposure during granite fabrication. The warning went to
radiation protection offices in all 50 states, EPA, OSHA, and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
The letter informs agencies that granite fabricators, shaping granite counter
tops for homes, can be exposed to more radiation than workers in nuclear
power plants. The crux of the matter is radioactive dust inhaled into the lung.
Alpha radiation is far more harmful inside the lung than outside the body.
A trio of individuals from different professions brought the issue to light. Each
member of the small team played a crucial role in the discovery. It was truly a
case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.
Oklahoma City cabinetmaker, Al Gerhart, first raised the question of radiation
exposure during granite fabrication. Granite contains small amounts of
uranium. Gerhart was concerned about exposures he and his employees might
experience in his shop. Gerhart tried unsuccessfully to get assistance from his
state radiation protection office or from OSHA.
San Jose industrial hygienist, Linda Kincaid, discovered radioactive granite in
the homes of clients and in granite showrooms. Intrigued by the question of
occupational exposure to uranium dust, she offered pro bono services to local
granite shops. Not a single shop allowed her to measure the dust their workers
breathe.
The crucial data came from Al Gerhart’s shop in Oklahoma City, using
radioactive granite removed from the home of one of Kincaid’s California
clients. After extensive laboratory tests on the samples, Gerhart ground the
granite using typical fabrication tools and techniques. Linda Kincaid collected
airborne dust samples according to standard industrial hygiene protocols.
Laboratory analyses proved those dust samples contained more uranium than
a worker should breathe.
Salt Lake City health physicist, Dave Bernhardt, explained that uranium was not
the only radioactive isotope in the dust. Granite dust also contains uranium’s
radioactive “daughter products”. The cumulative radiation dose was
considerably greater than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow.
Bernhardt collected and organized extensive information about granite
fabrication processes, and then he brought that information to the appropriate
authorities.
Thanks to the teamwork of these three professionals, a warning was issued
yesterday. Gerhart tests all granite before it comes into his shop, and he
refuses to fabricate any granite that emits more than three times background
radiation. He encourages other shops to do the same.
A nationwide warning was issued yesterday, cautioning granite fabricators
about radiation exposure during granite fabrication. The warning went to
radiation protection offices in all 50 states, EPA, OSHA, and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
The letter informs agencies that granite fabricators, shaping granite counter
tops for homes, can be exposed to more radiation than workers in nuclear
power plants. The crux of the matter is radioactive dust inhaled into the lung.
Alpha radiation is far more harmful inside the lung than outside the body.
A trio of individuals from different professions brought the issue to light. Each
member of the small team played a crucial role in the discovery. It was truly a
case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.
Oklahoma City cabinetmaker, Al Gerhart, first raised the question of radiation
exposure during granite fabrication. Granite contains small amounts of
uranium. Gerhart was concerned about exposures he and his employees might
experience in his shop. Gerhart tried unsuccessfully to get assistance from his
state radiation protection office or from OSHA.
San Jose industrial hygienist, Linda Kincaid, discovered radioactive granite in
the homes of clients and in granite showrooms. Intrigued by the question of
occupational exposure to uranium dust, she offered pro bono services to local
granite shops. Not a single shop allowed her to measure the dust their workers
breathe.
The crucial data came from Al Gerhart’s shop in Oklahoma City, using
radioactive granite removed from the home of one of Kincaid’s California
clients. After extensive laboratory tests on the samples, Gerhart ground the
granite using typical fabrication tools and techniques. Linda Kincaid collected
airborne dust samples according to standard industrial hygiene protocols.
Laboratory analyses proved those dust samples contained more uranium than
a worker should breathe.
Salt Lake City health physicist, Dave Bernhardt, explained that uranium was not
the only radioactive isotope in the dust. Granite dust also contains uranium’s
radioactive “daughter products”. The cumulative radiation dose was
considerably greater than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow.
Bernhardt collected and organized extensive information about granite
fabrication processes, and then he brought that information to the appropriate
authorities.
Thanks to the teamwork of these three professionals, a warning was issued
yesterday. Gerhart tests all granite before it comes into his shop, and he
refuses to fabricate any granite that emits more than three times background
radiation. He encourages other shops to do the same.
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