Common-mode choke including ground wire?

[AnyNameYouWish]

There is an individual who has had equipment damage in his home due to multiple lightning strike to power lines. He has added a toroidal ferrite choke to some of his home circuits. I have suggested that these chokes should NOT include the ground wire, that one should not purposefully add impedance to the ground wire. The ferrite choke is simply a toroid through which the wires pass. Are there any regulations in the NEC regarding the use of such chokes? Is my concern about running the ground wire through the choke justified, or am I being overly wary?