Nearly 600 workers in California’s engineered-stone countertop industry have reportedly been diagnosed with silicosis since 2019. The disease is associated with prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust released during the cutting, grinding and polishing of artificial-stone slabs.

​About Silicosis

Silicosis is a serious and progressive occupational respiratory disease caused by prolonged inhalation of fine particles of crystalline silica. The inhaled silica particles can cause inflammation and scarring of lung tissue, reducing the lungs’ ability to function normally.

​Causes and Sources

Silicosis occurs when workers inhale silica dust or crystalline silica particles. Silica is naturally present in materials such as soil, sand, concrete, mortar, granite and artificial stone.

Workers involved in construction, mining, oil and gas extraction, kitchen-engineering, dentistry, pottery and sculpting may face increased exposure to silica dust.

The risk becomes particularly significant when activities such as cutting, grinding, drilling or polishing silica-containing materials generate fine airborne particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

​Symptoms

The major symptoms of silicosis include persistent cough, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue. As the disease progresses, breathing difficulties can become increasingly severe.

Types of Silicosis

​Chronic Silicosis

Chronic silicosis develops after long-term exposure, generally over 20 years, to relatively low concentrations of silica dust. It causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs and may also affect the lymph nodes in the chest.

It is the most common form of silicosis and can gradually lead to difficulty in breathing.

​Accelerated Silicosis

Accelerated silicosis develops after exposure to higher concentrations of silica over a shorter period, generally around 3–10 years. The inflammation and symptoms develop more rapidly than in chronic silicosis.

​Acute Silicosis

Acute silicosis occurs after exposure to very high concentrations of silica dust over a short period. The lungs can become severely inflamed and may fill with fluid, resulting in severe breathing difficulty and low blood oxygen levels.

Treatment and Prevention

Silicosis is a progressive disease and currently has no cure. Medical management focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing further exposure to silica and managing complications.

The most important preventive measures include reducing workplace silica dust, using appropriate ventilation and dust-control systems, employing safer cutting methods and providing suitable respiratory protection to exposed workers.