Fabricated Stone Workers May Face Risk of New Lung Disease: Silicosarcoidosis

Researchers hope the new term will help doctors identify and treat the condition, which occurs when patients suffer from both silicosis and sarcoidosis.

Amid rising concern over silicosis, an incurable lung disease linked to silica dust exposure in the fabricated stone industry, new research suggests the condition may be more complex than previously believed.

In a study published late last month in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, an international team of researchers indicates that many cases of silicosis among fabricated stone workers also involves a condition known as sarcoidosis, leading them to coin the term silicosarcoidosis to describe instances of the combined illness.

Silicosis is an irreversible lung condition that is only known to be caused by routine exposure and inhalation of silica dust, which is often associated with cutting or fabricating artificial stone countertop products. The condition begins with lung inflammation and scarring, and often leads to the development of lung failure, and the need for transplant surgery.

Sarcoidosis is a different inflammatory lung disease, which can cause granulomas, or small swollen areas to develop in the lungs and lymph nodes. Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, joint pain and swelling, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain.

Historically, there is no exact known cause for sarcoidosis. However, in the new report, researchers found that the majority of patients with silicosis also developed sarcoidosis, leading them to believe that the two illnesses may both be connected to silica dust exposure.

The artificial stone cutting and fabricating industry is considered a primary source for silica dust exposure. Also known as “engineered stone,” artificial stone is often used to make quartz countertops, which are believed to be a significant silicosis risk for stone cutters, who regularly inhale large amounts of silica dust as they fabricate these countertops for consumers’ kitchens and bathrooms.

In this latest study, researchers from National Jewish Health in Colorado identified and examined 35 cases of sarcoidosis among workers in the U.S., Taiwan and Israel.

The research team, led by occupational pulmonologist Dr. Jeremy Hua, found there was significant overlap between silicosis and sarcoidosis, with most workers who had one condition also having the other. Both were linked to silica dust exposure, the researchers determined.

As a result, they called for the adoption of the term silicosarcoidosis to identify these patients, which could help clear confusion about their association and address the likelihood that doctors will often need to treat both conditions at the same time.

“Our study adds to the growing evidence for a causal link between silicosis and sarcoidosis and provides a comprehensive histopathologic description of silicosarcoidosis,” the researchers wrote. “For these reasons, we propose using the term silicosarcoidosis to unify future efforts to further characterize this distinct entity, explore gene–environment interactions, develop clear research agendas and clinical guidelines, and motivate management considerations that include both pharmacological and exposure reduction efforts. Compared to other previously published terms, silicosarcoidosis benefits from brevity, clarity, and searchability.”

Silica Dust Exposure Lawsuits

The findings come as a growing number of silicosis lawsuits have been filed in recent months, almost exclusively involving the fabricated stone industry.

Each of the claims present similar allegations, that employers and manufacturers of quartz countertops failed to provide adequate warnings and protection to workers who were exposed to silica dust. This alleged negligence has led to severe and sometimes fatal respiratory conditions, including chronic silicosis.

The stone cutter silicosis lawsuits often involve individuals who have worked for years in industries such as sandblasting, mining, construction, and manufacturing products like quartz countertops, concrete and glass, where workers are frequently in contact with silica. 

Plaintiffs argue that despite longstanding knowledge of the risks associated with inhaling silica particles, sufficient measures were not taken to educate or protect workers, violating occupational safety regulations.

As a result, lawyers across the United States are providing free case evaluations for individuals who were exposed to silica dust throughout their careers and have subsequently been diagnosed with silicosis.