Silicosis Risk From Engineered Stone Countertops May Persist Despite Safety Measures: Study

Banning engineered stone may be the only way to prevent silicosis among those exposed to silica dust while cutting, grinding and fabricating countertops.

A new study indicates that silica dust exposure can continue damaging the lungs of engineered stone workers even after they leave the field, making stronger protections against exposure critical to reducing the risk of silicosis.

The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on September 21, based on a case report involving a man who developed silicosis after a decade of working in the engineered stone industry. Researchers from Queen’s University in Ontario found that his lung damage continued to worsen even after his exposure to silica dust ended.

Engineered Stone Silicosis Risks

Workers who cut, grind, polish and install engineered stone countertops face substantial silica dust exposure, due to particles released by the stone into the air. These particles are inhaled, with repeated exposure potentially leading to life-threatening lung injuries, including silicosis and death.

Silicosis is an irreversible and progressive lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust, which triggers inflammation and permanent scarring in the lungs. Progression of the disease can make breathing increasingly difficult, and severe cases may lead to respiratory failure or require a lung transplant.

As more engineered stone workers develop these serious and potentially irreversible injuries, manufacturers are facing a growing number of silicosis lawsuits, particularly in California, where the industry is heavily concentrated. The lawsuits allege manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the silica dust risks or provide sufficient safety instructions to protect workers from exposure.

Silicosis Case Report Findings

For the new study, researchers led by Michelle Yuen, conducted a case study of a 47-year old Canadian man who was employed for 20 years in countertop fabrication, working mostly with engineered stone in the last 10 years.

The man initially was admitted to the emergency room due to a workplace accident that caused blunt trauma to his right chest. During the course of his examination, doctors found nodules in his lungs and he was ultimately diagnosed with silicosis, which the doctors linked to his years of silica dust exposure.

According to the worker, he used a cartridge respirator, changing the filter once a week. The report states there were no silica dust monitoring efforts at his workplace, which only employed three to five people.

Doctors urged the man to immediately remove himself from silica dust exposure and referred him to occupational lung disease.

However, the case report notes that even after exposure stopped, the lung damage did not. Over the next 18 months, the man’s fibrosis worsened and he was given antifibrotic medications, which can slow down the formation of scar tissue in organs.

While the antifibrotics helped somewhat, researchers indicated the man’s lung capacity continued to degrade over time.

“The patient has continued respirology and hepatology clinical review, and is awaiting assessment for lung transplantation. He is currently undergoing vocational retraining with workers’ compensation support.”

– Queen’s University Researchers, Silicosis from dry-cutting engineered stone in the fabrication of countertop

The team noted the failure of protective equipment in the man’s case and the lack of silica dust control and monitoring. Additionally, they warned that the use of antifibrotics was not enough to reverse the disease’s course.

Researchers concluded that occupational hygiene measures at the workplace, such as wet-cutting, automated enclosed machine cutting and medical surveillance, could help mitigate engineered stone’s effects on the lungs. However, they also noted that the only truly effective measure would be removing engineered stone from the market.

Silicosis Lawsuits

The findings come as silica dust lawsuits continue to be filed nationwide by installers, fabricators and stone cutters who developed silicosis after occupational exposure to the fine, crystalline particles.

Engineered stone industry workers who experienced regular silica dust exposure may be eligible to pursue compensation if they were subsequently diagnosed with conditions such as:

• Silicosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney disease
• Lung cancer
• Lung infections, including tuberculosis

Silicosis lawyers are evaluating potential claims for quartz countertop workers throughout the United States who developed silicosis following workplace exposure to silica dust. Free consultations are available to help determine whether affected workers may qualify to pursue financial compensation.

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