A longtime worker in the stone countertop industry has been diagnosed with a “devastating, life-altering disease,” as state health officials alert employers.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is warning those in the stone countertop fabrication industry to protect workers from silica dust exposure after the first confirmed case of silicosis.
The preventable, yet incurable and progressive lung disease is caused by inhaling crystalline silica — which is found naturally in granite and other stones.
The state’s first confirmed case associated with occupational exposure in this industry was recently diagnosed in a man in his 40s. For the past 14 years, he had worked for two stone countertop fabrication and installation companies in the Bay State.
His work involved cutting and shaping quartz, granite, marble, and porcelain. He reported that the workplace at the first company was very dusty. Wet methods were not routinely used, and he was given thin surgical masks to wear when performing job duties.
After about 10 years with that company, he started experiencing cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms persisted, and four years later — after several medical visits and tests — he was diagnosed with silicosis. He was also experiencing fatigue and weight loss.
While this is the state’s first confirmed case of silicosis among this workforce, the growing number of cases recently reported in other states and countries linked to this industry suggests that additional, unconfirmed cases could exist in Massachusetts.
“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.
“Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust,” Goldstein added. “No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”
There’s a long latency period between silica exposure and the development of silicosis. Silicosis is an often disabling and sometimes fatal disease that is characterized by scarring of the lungs.
Early symptoms include an irritating cough, mucus, and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty breathing and can experience fatigue, chest pain, leg swelling, and blueish lips.
There’s no cure for silicosis, but exposure to silica dust can be minimized through proper workplace controls.
“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat – it is here, and it is seriously impacting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” said Emily Sparer-Fine, director of DPH’s Occupational Health Surveillance Program. “Beyond the critical role employers play, everyone involved in the supply chain – from consumers and designers to contractors – can help reduce the danger by opting for materials that contain less silica and pose fewer health hazards.”
Workers in other industries, such as construction and masonry, might also be at risk of exposure to silica dust when working with silica-containing construction materials, such as sand, stone, concrete, brick, or mortar.
By issuing this safety alert, DPH’s Occupational Health Surveillance Program is sounding the alarm to raise awareness among employers in Massachusetts about the hazards of silica and how to protect their workers’ health and safety.
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