Massachusetts has reported its first case of silicosis, a fatal and incurable lung disease linked to dust generated during the fabrication of stone countertops. The state’s Department of Public Health announced that a Hispanic man in his 40s was diagnosed with this progressive condition earlier this year after inhaling respirable crystalline silica, a mineral predominantly found in quartz and granite.
The unidentified man worked for a total of 14 years in two different stone countertop fabrication and installation companies. His primary employer, where he spent 12 years, did not implement wet cutting methods to mitigate dust exposure, instead providing thin surgical masks as a form of protection. After ten years, he began experiencing persistent cough and shortness of breath. It took an additional four years and several medical consultations before he was diagnosed with silicosis.
In light of this case, health officials have issued a safety alert to employers within industries exposed to silica dust, emphasizing the disease’s preventable nature. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein commented, “Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable. Massachusetts employers in these sectors have a responsibility to safeguard their workforce from harmful airborne dust.”
Silicosis symptoms typically manifest after prolonged exposure and include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, and other serious health complications, increasing the risk of other lung diseases such as lung cancer and tuberculosis. Diagnosis can be elusive, often requiring multiple doctor visits, including lung evaluations, X-rays, and sometimes biopsies.
Historically, silicosis has been more common in construction and mining fields. However, a rising prevalence among stone workers has emerged due to the popularity of quartz countertops, which contain over 90% silica compared to the less than 45% found in granite. The first case in the United States was reported in Texas in 2014, with other states subsequently documenting numerous fatalities, including recent cases in Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, and California.
California’s health department has issued repeated advisories regarding silicosis this year. Since 2019, the state recorded 432 confirmed cases and at least 25 deaths related to the condition. Despite the lack of a cure, lung transplants can offer patients a chance at extended life.
The demographic most affected comprises young Hispanic or Latino males, who represent a significant portion of the stoneworking population. Awareness and preventative measures are crucial, as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration stresses the importance of using wet cutting techniques, effective dust controls, appropriate respirators, and conducting periodic health examinations.
The confirmation of this case serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for stringent workplace protections to ensure that no worker should suffer from a preventable chronic disease. Health officials urge employers to take immediate action to safeguard their employees from the dangers of silica dust exposure.