Quartz countertops harm installers’ lungs, according to a study.
Quartz countertops harm installers' lungs, according to a study.
The Hidden Danger: Silicosis Among Stone Fabricators
Workers making the most popular type of countertop sold in the United States are at risk for potentially deadly lung disease, according to a new study. The danger lies in the tiny particles of dust produced while cutting, shaping, and polishing synthetic quartz. This dust, when inhaled, causes a lung disease called silicosis, which has been seen for centuries in miners and cutters of natural stone. However, engineered stone is even more dangerous due to its high concentration of silica, along with polymer resins and dyes added to the synthetic quartz.
Lead researcher Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonary specialist with UCLA Health in Los Angeles, says, “Increasing case counts of silicosis among stone fabricators over the last 10 years and accelerated progression of disease transforms the paradigm of an all-but-previously-forgotten disease in the U.S.” The study highlights severe illness and premature death among a particularly vulnerable group of young, underinsured, and likely undocumented Latino immigrant workers.
The risk of silicosis in stone fabricators was first identified in Israel in 2012, with the first U.S. case being identified in Texas. However, California has now become the epicenter of the disease. In the study, Dr. Fazio’s team identified 52 engineered-stone workers with silicosis in California, 51 of whom were Hispanic immigrants.
One such worker is Leobardo Segura-Meza, a 27-year-old who has been working with stone for 10 years. Despite taking health precautions such as wearing a mask and using dust-reducing tools, he went to the emergency room in February 2022 with shortness of breath and was diagnosed with silicosis. He has been reliant on an oxygen tank ever since and is no longer able to support his wife and three young children. Segura-Meza has been approved for a lung transplant, but fears that he will not survive until the operation. Tragically, two other stone workers have already died while on the waiting list.
“Every day I hope that the phone rings telling me to come to the hospital to get my new lungs,” Segura-Meza said in a University of California, San Francisco news release.
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The researchers are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Dr. Sheiphali Gandhi, a UCSF pulmonologist, said in the release, “If we don’t stop it now, we’re going to have hundreds if not thousands of more cases. Even if we stopped it now, we’re going to be seeing these cases for the next decade because it takes years to develop.”
The findings of this study were published on July 24, 2023, in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The Hidden Consequences of Countertop Production
The popularity of engineered stone countertops has steadily risen in the United States in recent years. Praised for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance, these countertops have become a popular choice for homeowners. However, a new study is shedding light on the hidden dangers associated with the production of these countertops, particularly for the workers involved.
The risk of developing silicosis, a potentially deadly lung disease, is a grim reality for stone fabricators. Silicosis has long been known to afflict miners and cutters of natural stone due to the inhalation of silica dust. However, the study reveals that engineered stone, with its high concentration of silica, combined with the polymer resins and dyes used in synthetic quartz, poses an even greater threat.
Lead researcher Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonary specialist with UCLA Health, notes that the emergence of an alarming number of silicosis cases among stone fabricators over the past decade has shifted the perception of this disease from a forgotten affliction to a pressing concern. The study specifically highlights the severe impact on young, underinsured, and likely undocumented Latino immigrant workers.
California has become the epicenter of the disease, with 52 cases of silicosis identified among engineered-stone workers, predominantly Hispanic immigrants. Leobardo Segura-Meza, a 27-year-old stone worker and father of three, is one of the affected individuals. Despite taking precautions such as wearing a mask and using dust-reducing tools, Segura-Meza found himself in the emergency room, gasping for breath and diagnosed with silicosis. His condition has forced him to rely on an oxygen tank, leaving him unable to provide for his family.
Segura-Meza’s story is tragically familiar among stone workers, as two others have already succumbed to the disease while awaiting lung transplants. The desperation faced by these workers, including Segura-Meza’s yearning for the call that could save his life, underscores the urgent need for intervention.
The researchers behind the study warn that without immediate action, the number of silicosis cases will continue to rise, potentially affecting hundreds or even thousands more workers. Furthermore, even if preventive measures are implemented promptly, the consequences of past exposure will continue to manifest for years to come.
Shining a Light on Silicosis: A Call to Action
The recent study’s findings expose an underreported occupational hazard that demands immediate attention. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles, has long plagued workers in mining and stone cutting industries. However, the study illuminates the rising risk faced by stone fabricators, particularly those engaged in the production of engineered stone.
The allure of engineered stone countertops lies in their superior durability and aesthetic appeal. Consumers and industry professionals alike have embraced this material, driving its popularity in the market. Unfortunately, the darker side of its production process has gone largely unnoticed until now.
The inhalation of silica dust generated during the shaping, cutting, and polishing of synthetic quartz poses a significant health risk. Unlike natural stone, engineered stone contains an elevated concentration of silica, making it far more dangerous. Additionally, the polymers and dyes added to the synthetic quartz compound the health hazards faced by the workers.
Dr. Jane Fazio, lead researcher and pulmonary specialist at UCLA Health, stresses the alarming increase in silicosis cases among stone fabricators in recent years. The study’s focus on young, underinsured, and likely undocumented Latino immigrant workers underscores the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. This revelation calls for immediate action to protect the health and well-being of these individuals.
California has become ground zero for the silicosis epidemic, with a significant number of cases reported among Hispanic immigrant workers. Out of the 52 identified cases in the study, the overwhelming majority involved engineered-stone workers.
Leobardo Segura-Meza, a 27-year-old stone fabricator, embodies the devastating consequences faced by those exposed to silica dust. Despite his adherence to safety measures, such as wearing a mask and using dust-reducing tools, Segura-Meza was diagnosed with silicosis after experiencing shortness of breath. The disease has left him dependent on an oxygen tank, rendering him unable to provide for his family. His story epitomizes the urgent need to address this growing crisis.
With two stone workers already succumbing to the disease while awaiting lung transplants, the urgency cannot be overstated. Dr. Sheiphali Gandhi, a pulmonologist from UCSF, emphasizes the need for immediate intervention to avoid future cases. However, even if preventive measures are implemented promptly, the latency period of silicosis means that its devastating effects will continue to emerge over the next decade.
The study’s publication in JAMA Internal Medicine on July 24, 2023, serves as a call to action. It highlights a critical occupational health crisis that demands swift intervention. By shedding light on the hidden dangers faced by stone fabricators, this research aims to mitigate the risks and protect the lives of countless workers across the industry.
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