September 24, 2024 The increasing popularity of quartz countertops in home renovations and new construction is exposing more and more American workers to silica dust that causes incurable lung disease known as silicosis.
The danger facing workers who fabricate and install quartz and other engineered stone countertops is compounded because employers often disregard safety practices. A recent California study found that 72 percent of fabrication shops were out of compliance with safety standards for handling silica.
A July 2023 American Medical Association study underscores the health risks. The study identified 52 cases of silicosis. Of those workers, 10 have died, 11 were referred for lung transplants, and three received lung transplants. Authorities believe silicosis is underreported because construction workers — including undocumented immigrants — are not obtaining routine medical care that could diagnose the disease sooner.
Deadly silicosis lung disease on the rise
Study co-author Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonary specialist at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, said sales of engineered quartz stone countertops have risen 600 percent in the last 10 years.
In response to the rise in silicosis cases, OSHA launched a new enforcement initiative to improve safety compliance by employers and ensure that workers have access to respirators and other safety equipment.
“Many workers in the engineering stone industry are experiencing illnesses so severe that they’re unable to breathe — much less work a full shift — because of their exposure to silica dust,” explained Doug Parker, OSHA’s assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. “Among them is a 27-year-old worker in California who went to an emergency room with shortness of breath in 2022 and whose lung biopsy later revealed he had silicosis. Since then, he has been on an oxygen tank and unable to support his wife and three young children financially.”
Industries covered by the OSHA guidelines include those where workers are involved in manufacturing, finishing and installing natural and manufactured stone, which includes man-made, engineered, artificial and cultured types.
What Is Silicosis?
The American Lung Association defines silicosis as a type of pulmonary fibrosis. It’s a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz, and other rock types.
What Are the Symptoms of Silicosis?
Silicosis symptoms usually appear after many years of exposure. In its earliest stages, symptoms are mild and can include:
- Cough
- Sputum
- Progressive shortness of breath
As lung scarring becomes more severe, bronchitis-like symptoms occur, including:
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Leg swelling
- Bluish lip discoloration
Complications occur the longer a person goes without treatment. Because the disease affects the immune system, silicosis patients are vulnerable to developing:
- Tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
- COPD
- Kidney disease
Can Silicosis Be Treated?
While no cure exists, treatment focuses on slowing the progression and relieving symptoms. Crucial to the treatment is to avoid exposure to silica and other irritants, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, allergens and smoke. It is also essential to test for tuberculosis, as that disease tends to be more severe in people with silicosis.
A treatment plan may include:
- Using a bronchodilator
- Quitting smoking as soon as possible
- Using supplemental oxygen
- Doing a pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program
- In very severe cases, lung transplant surgery is required
How We Help Silicosis Victims
Seek justice with the help of our experienced attorneys. Our Dallas, Texas, law firm represents workers exposed to dangerous silica dust on the job, aggressively fighting to hold these companies responsible for failing to keep workers safe. If you or a loved one has suffered chronic lung diseases like silicosis, we can help.
