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Massachusetts well being officers introduced Tuesday that the state has confirmed its first case of an incurable lung illness linked to publicity to sure countertop stones.
The illness is especially related to quartz, which has turn into more and more standard in recent times for its practicality and aesthetic, in accordance with well being officers.
The Massachusetts Division of Public Well being (DPH) stated a 40-year-old man, who has labored within the stone countertop trade for 14 years, was not too long ago identified with silicosis, a situation that may trigger loss of life.
“The affirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not only a distant risk. It’s right here, and it’s severely impacting the well being of staff in Massachusetts,” Emily H. Sparer-Positive, a director at DPH, stated in an announcement.
Kitchen with a quartz countertop Nov. 15, 2017, in Ballston Lake, N.Y. (John Carl D’Annibale/Albany Occasions Union)
The unnamed affected person reportedly carried out actions reminiscent of reducing, grinding and sharpening, which may generate crystalline silica mud. When inhaled, this mud scars lung tissue and might result in silicosis, DPH stated.
The illness is preventable however irreversible and progressive, officers stated. Signs embody a persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest ache. As a result of there may be usually a protracted latency interval between publicity and symptom onset, diagnoses are incessantly delayed, in accordance with DPH.
Because the illness progresses, it can lead to severe problems, together with lung most cancers, tuberculosis and even loss of life, the division added.
Officers added that “most circumstances of silicosis are work-related – it is rather uncommon for silicosis to happen outdoors of office publicity.”
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A father and son arrange a quartz countertop at a sales space in Albany Sept. 15, 2011. (John Carl D’Annibale/Albany Occasions Union)
Officers stated the danger exists when dealing with pure stones, reminiscent of granite, however is very excessive when working with engineered stone, reminiscent of quartz. Whereas pure granite sometimes accommodates lower than 45% silica, engineered stone can comprise greater than 90%, DPH reported.
“Lately, the illness has turn into extra prevalent amongst stone fabrication staff as a result of rise in recognition of counter tops produced from engineered stone (also referred to as quartz or synthetic stone),” DPH reported.
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An worker applies a sealant to sheets for counter tops Could 14, 2014. (Craig Warga/Bloomberg)
The division famous that, whereas that is the primary confirmed case in Massachusetts inside this trade, extra circumstances are anticipated as a result of illness’s lengthy latency interval and the rising recognition of engineered stone.
Different states have additionally reported circumstances of silicosis. In a 2023 research, California researchers recognized 52 quartz countertop staff with silicosis. Twenty of them had superior illness and 10 died.
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Regardless of the illness’s potential severity, there has not been an outright ban on quartz in U.S. kitchens. Against this, all work involving engineered stone has already been banned in Australia as a result of extreme dangers it poses to staff. Different nations are additionally pushing for extra laws.
The DPH emphasizes that silicosis is “completely preventable” by way of correct office controls. The alert urges employers within the stone countertop fabrication trade to implement efficient security measures, reminiscent of moist reducing and correct air flow, to attenuate silica publicity and shield staff.
“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering illness and one which can be completely preventable,” Public Well being Commissioner Robbie Goldstein stated in an announcement.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A earlier model of this headline incorrectly reported that the employee in query died. The story has been corrected.
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