Massachusetts Sees First Silicosis Case in Stone Countertop Worker

Massachusetts public health officials have confirmed the first case of silicosis in the stone countertop fabrication industry within the state. This significant diagnosis was made for a Hispanic man in his 40s, who has spent the last 14 years working in stone countertop fabrication and installation.

Silicosis is a progressive lung disease that is both preventable and incurable, caused by inhaling crystalline silica, a substance naturally found in granite and various other stones. Activities such as cutting, polishing, or grinding stone can produce silica dust, which poses a serious health risk if inhaled. Traditionally, silicosis was linked to mining and construction sectors; however, its prevalence has surged among stone fabrication workers in recent years, largely due to the increasing popularity of engineered stone countertops, also known as quartz or artificial stone.

In response to this alarming trend, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a safety alert urging employers in the stone fabrication industry to take proactive measures to protect their workers from silica dust exposure. While this marks the state’s first confirmed case of silicosis in this workforce, DPH officials have noted a rising number of cases reported in other states and countries, indicating that there may be additional unconfirmed cases in Massachusetts.

According to DPH, most engineered stone workers diagnosed with silicosis in the U.S. have been exposed to silica at their jobs for over a decade, although some have faced exposure for shorter periods. While there is currently no cure for silicosis, the risk of exposure to silica dust can be significantly reduced through proper workplace controls.

“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” stated Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust. No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”

Most cases of silicosis are work-related. The first reported case of silicosis in the U.S. associated with engineered stone was identified in Texas in 2014. Since then, numerous states have reported hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths, particularly in California. Additionally, cases have been documented globally.

In the U.S., the demographic profile of engineered stone workers with silicosis tends to be relatively young, predominantly male, and largely Hispanic/Latino. This reflects the workforce composition in this industry, where, as of 2023, over half of the workers were under 45 years old, nearly three-quarters were men, and more than one in three identified as Hispanic/Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Workers in other sectors, such as construction and masonry, may also face risks of silica dust exposure when handling silica-containing materials like sand, stone, concrete, brick, or mortar, as noted by DPH.

Preventing silicosis relies heavily on employers implementing effective workplace controls. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information on the risks to workers and strategies to limit exposure to respirable silica dust.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

Topics
Massachusetts

Massachusetts public health officials have confirmed the first case of silicosis in the stone countertop fabrication industry within the state. This significant diagnosis was made for a Hispanic man in his 40s, who has spent the last 14 years working in stone countertop fabrication and installation.

Silicosis is a progressive lung disease that is both preventable and incurable, caused by inhaling crystalline silica, a substance naturally found in granite and various other stones. Activities such as cutting, polishing, or grinding stone can produce silica dust, which poses a serious health risk if inhaled. Traditionally, silicosis was linked to mining and construction sectors; however, its prevalence has surged among stone fabrication workers in recent years, largely due to the increasing popularity of engineered stone countertops, also known as quartz or artificial stone.

In response to this alarming trend, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a safety alert urging employers in the stone fabrication industry to take proactive measures to protect their workers from silica dust exposure. While this marks the state’s first confirmed case of silicosis in this workforce, DPH officials have noted a rising number of cases reported in other states and countries, indicating that there may be additional unconfirmed cases in Massachusetts.

According to DPH, most engineered stone workers diagnosed with silicosis in the U.S. have been exposed to silica at their jobs for over a decade, although some have faced exposure for shorter periods. While there is currently no cure for silicosis, the risk of exposure to silica dust can be significantly reduced through proper workplace controls.

“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” stated Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust. No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”

Most cases of silicosis are work-related. The first reported case of silicosis in the U.S. associated with engineered stone was identified in Texas in 2014. Since then, numerous states have reported hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths, particularly in California. Additionally, cases have been documented globally.

In the U.S., the demographic profile of engineered stone workers with silicosis tends to be relatively young, predominantly male, and largely Hispanic/Latino. This reflects the workforce composition in this industry, where, as of 2023, over half of the workers were under 45 years old, nearly three-quarters were men, and more than one in three identified as Hispanic/Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Workers in other sectors, such as construction and masonry, may also face risks of silica dust exposure when handling silica-containing materials like sand, stone, concrete, brick, or mortar, as noted by DPH.

Preventing silicosis relies heavily on employers implementing effective workplace controls. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information on the risks to workers and strategies to limit exposure to respirable silica dust.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

Topics
Massachusetts