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 beauty, according to health officials.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reported that a 40-year-old man who had worked in the stone countertop industry for 14 years was recently diagnosed with silicosis, a condition that can lead to death.
“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a sad reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat. It’s here, and it’s seriously affecting the health of Massachusetts workers,” Emily H. Spear-Fine, DPH director, said in a statement.
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Kitchen with quartz countertops November 15, 2017 in Ballston Lake, New York
The unidentified patient reportedly performed activities such as cutting, grinding and polishing, which can generate crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, the dust can stain lung tissue and cause silicosis, DPH said.
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The disease is preventable but irreversible and progressive, officials said. Symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. According to DPH, because there is often a long latency period between exposure and symptom onset, diagnoses are often delayed.
As the disease progresses, it can lead to serious complications such as 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 the workplace exposure.”
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A father and son install a quartz countertop at a booth in Albany on September 15, 2011.
Officials said the risk exists when handling natural stones such as granite, but is particularly high when working with engineered stones 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 stonemasonry workers due to the increased popularity of countertops made from engineered stone (also known as quartz or artificial stone),” DPH reported.
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A worker applies sealant to sheets for countertops May 14, 2014.
The department noted that this is the first confirmed case in Massachusetts within the industry, but more cases are expected due to the disease’s long latency period 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 seriousness of the disease, quartz has not been completely banned in American kitchens. In contrast, all work involving engineered stone is already banned in Australia due to the serious risks it poses to workers. Other countries are also pushing for more regulations.
DPH emphasizes that silicosis is “completely preventable” through proper 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 reduce silica exposure and protect workers.
“Silicosis is a devastating, life-changing disease and it is completely preventable,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.
Original article source: A Massachusetts man has died from a fatal lung disease linked to a popular kitchen countertop
