What Is Silicosis? What To Know As Hundreds Fall Ill From Stone Countertops
The state said the outbreak is likely undercounted as officials tracked 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants among affected workers.
7 Articles
7 Articles
California Quartz Countertop Workers Suffer 592 Silicosis Cases in Deadly Silica Outbreak
California health officials have recorded 592 silicosis cases among engineered-stone workers since 2019. A 12 August NEJM Evidence report documented 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths among those affected. The workers were young for severe occupational lung disease, with a median age at diagnosis of 46. About 98 per cent were Latino, and all but one were men. How Quartz Dust Destroys Lungs Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling…
Stone Countertop Occupational Exposure Linked to 31 Deaths in California, Study Finds
A total of 592 cases of silicosis were identified between January 2019 and June 2026 among California workers who were fabricating engineered stone countertops, with 31 people dying from the illness, according to a public health alert. Of the 592 cases, 65 workers underwent lung transplantation, said the Aug. 12 public health alert report published in the NEJM Evidence journal. Silicosis is a progressive, incurable lung disease that is caused by…
HSE says no dry cutting of engineered stone ahead of inspection crackdown
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently announced a major package of measures to protect workers from the dangers of engineered stone dust, including silicosis, a deadly-but-preventable lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust released during stone cutting.The package includes the publication of new guidance making clear that dry cutting of engineered stone is unacceptable and that water suppression techniques, already used by many…
According to a public health alert, between January 2019 and June 2026, 592 cases of silicosis were found among workers in California who were engaged in the processing of artificial stone countertops, of whom 31 died.
Silicosis Outbreak Among Quartz Countertop Workers Hits Nearly 600 Cases, New Report Warns
Nearly 600 stonecutters in California have now been diagnosed with silicosis, an incurable and often fatal lung disease, after years of cutting, grinding and polishing quartz countertops. A new report released this month shows the numbers are still climbing, and health officials say the true toll across the United States is almost certainly far higher. The report, published August 12 by the California Department of Public Health alongside resear…
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