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 associated with 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) said that a 40-year-old man, who worked in the stone countertop industry for 14 years, was recently diagnosed with silicosis, a condition that can cause death.
“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 affecting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” said Emily H. Sparer-Fine, director at DPH, in a statement.
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Kitchen with quartz countertop November 15, 2017, in Ballston Lake, NY
The unnamed patient reportedly performed activities such as cutting, grinding and polishing, which can generate crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, this dust scars lung tissue and can lead to silicosis, DPH said.
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Officials said the disease is preventable but irreversible and progressive. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. Because there is often a long latency period between exposure and the onset of symptoms, diagnoses are often delayed, according to DPH.
As the disease progresses, it can result in serious complications, including lung cancer, tuberculosis and even death, the department added.
Officials added that “most cases of silicosis are work-related – it is very rare for silicosis to occur outside of workplace exposure.”
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A father and son set up a quartz countertop in a cabin in Albany on September 15, 2011.
Officials said the risk exists when handling natural stone, such as granite, but is especially high when working with engineered stone, such as quartz. While natural granite typically contains less than 45% silica, engineered stone can contain more than 90%, DPH reported.
“In recent years, the disease has become more prevalent among stone fabrication workers due to the increased popularity of countertops made of engineered stone (also known as quartz or artificial stone),” DPH reported.
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An employee applies sheet sealant to countertops May 14, 2014.
The department noted that, while this is the first confirmed case in Massachusetts within this industry, more cases are expected due to the long latency period of the disease and the growing popularity of engineered stone.
Other states have also reported cases of silicosis. In a 2023 study, California researchers identified 52 quartz countertop workers with silicosis. Twenty of them had advanced disease and 10 died.
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Despite the potential severity of the disease, there has not been a complete ban on quartz in US kitchens. In contrast, all work involving engineered stone has already been banned in Australia 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” through appropriate workplace controls. The alert urges employers in the stone countertop fabrication 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 and one that is also absolutely preventable,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.
Original article source: Massachusetts man dies of fatal lung disease linked to popular kitchen countertops