Massachusetts health officials announced Tuesday that the state has confirmed its first case of an incurable lung disease linked to exposure to certain countertop stones.
The disease is particularly linked to quartz, which has become increasingly popular in recent years for its practicality and aesthetics, according to health officials.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) says a 40-year-old man who has worked in the stone countertop industry for 14 years was recently diagnosed with silicosis, a disease that can lead to death.
“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat. It is here and is seriously impacting the health of Massachusetts workers,” DPH Director Emily H. Sparer-Fine said in a statement.
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Kitchen with quartz countertops, November 15, 2017, Lake Ballston, NY
The unnamed patient reportedly performed activities such as cutting, grinding and polishing that may generate crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, the dust can scar lung tissue and can lead to silicosis, the Department of Public Health said.
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Officials say the disease is preventable but irreversible and progressive. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. According to the DPH, diagnosis is often delayed because there is often a long incubation period between exposure and the onset of symptoms.
As the disease progresses, serious complications may result, including lung cancer, tuberculosis and even death, the department added.
Officials added, “The majority of silicosis cases are work-related – it is very rare for silicosis to occur outside of workplace exposure.”
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On September 15, 2011, a father and son set up quartz countertops at a booth in Albany.
Officials say there are risks when working with natural stone like granite, but they are especially high when working with engineered stone like quartz. According to DPH, natural granite typically contains less than 45% silica, while engineered stone may contain more than 90% silica.
“This disease has become more common among stone fabrication workers in recent years as countertops made of engineered stone (also known as quartz or engineered stone) have grown in popularity,” DPH reports.
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On May 14, 2014, an employee applied sealant to a countertop.
The department noted that while this is the first confirmed case in the industry in Massachusetts, more cases are expected due to the long incubation period of the disease and the increasing popularity of artificial stone.
Silicosis cases have also been reported in other states. In a 2023 study, California researchers found that 52 quartz countertop workers had silicosis. Twenty of them had terminal illness and 10 died.
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Although the disease can be serious, quartz is not completely banned from American kitchens. In contrast, Australia has banned all work involving artificial stone due to the serious risks it poses to workers. Other countries are also pushing for more regulations.
The DPH emphasizes that silicosis is “absolutely preventable” with proper workplace controls. The alert urges employers in the stone countertop manufacturing industry to implement effective safety measures, such as wet cutting and proper ventilation, to minimize silica exposure and protect workers.
“Silicosis is a devastating, life-changing disease that is also completely preventable,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.
Original source of the article: Massachusetts man dies from fatal lung disease linked to popular kitchen countertops