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Amadeus · 02-08-2008, 08:11 PM

Dangers of Granite
I've posted on here quit a bit and feel it is my duty to express my dislike and fear of home owners using granite for their kitchen countertops in the Health section. I am a chef and owner of a well known restaurant here in Tampa Florida. Yes granite will stain, scratch, and cannot be repaired, but the biggest negative is that it will harbor bacteria. I worry about people putting a "sponge" in their kitchen. It is ok in the bathroom, but my god not in the kitchen where you are preparing food. Before I became educated I came an inch of my life before installing granite in my restaurant until another buddy chef of mine told me that it was against OSHA rules to have granite where food preparation is done. He said not only will granite harbor bacteria, but it is also a promoter of mold and mildew growth. Here in Florida when you think mold and mildew you think termites.
Then the 2nd thought that came to my head is "I have granite in my home kitchen that will need to get replaced". It was a brand new top that was just put in with the home I purchased. I knew my wife would kill me. I replaced it with a solid surface countertop and the funny thing is a month later my wife stopped having sinus infections and stopped coughing up a storm. Now I'm not a doctor and it may be a coincidence, but I sometimes wonder.
Before purchasing the granite top the salesman voluteered the information that granite would not harbor bacteria and it was just a myth without me even asking. However, if this were true than why aren't we allowed to put granite in our restaurants or why can't it be used inside hospital work areas (my sister is a nurse)?

02-08-2008, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Amadeus Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 410	Granite Countertops in Florida Dangers of Granite I've posted on here quit a bit and feel it is my duty to express my dislike and fear of home owners using granite for their kitchen countertops in the Health section. I am a chef and owner of a well known restaurant here in Tampa Florida. Yes granite will stain, scratch, and cannot be repaired, but the biggest negative is that it will harbor bacteria. I worry about people putting a "sponge" in their kitchen. It is ok in the bathroom, but my god not in the kitchen where you are preparing food. Before I became educated I came an inch of my life before installing granite in my restaurant until another buddy chef of mine told me that it was against OSHA rules to have granite where food preparation is done. He said not only will granite harbor bacteria, but it is also a promoter of mold and mildew growth. Here in Florida when you think mold and mildew you think termites. Then the 2nd thought that came to my head is "I have granite in my home kitchen that will need to get replaced". It was a brand new top that was just put in with the home I purchased. I knew my wife would kill me. I replaced it with a solid surface countertop and the funny thing is a month later my wife stopped having sinus infections and stopped coughing up a storm. Now I'm not a doctor and it may be a coincidence, but I sometimes wonder. Before purchasing the granite top the salesman voluteered the information that granite would not harbor bacteria and it was just a myth without me even asking. However, if this were true than why aren't we allowed to put granite in our restaurants or why can't it be used inside hospital work areas (my sister is a nurse)? Last edited by Amadeus; 02-08-2008 at 08:34 PM.