The meteoric rise in popularity of quartz countertops over the past decade has transformed kitchen design and remodeling trends. However, this booming demand comes with a hidden health hazard for the workers responsible for fabricating the material. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has uncovered a disturbing link between quartz countertops and a potentially life-threatening lung disease affecting those who work with the material.
Silicosis: A Silent Threat
Quartz countertops, while composed of a naturally occurring mineral, are engineered with a combination of silica-a chemical compound-and other materials such as resins and dyes. Inhalation of significant amounts of silica dust can lead to lung inflammation and scarring, a condition known as silicosis. According to NBC News, this debilitating disease causes permanent lung damage and, in severe cases, can lead to respiratory failure. Early symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath, which progress to oxygen therapy or a lung transplant as the disease worsens.
The study highlighted a staggering 52 cases of irreversible lung disease among workers in California who fabricated quartz slabs. Tragically, ten workers succumbed to the disease, while three others received lung transplants to combat its devastating effects.
Silicosis risk is magnified in the quartz fabrication process due to the high silica content of the material, surpassing 90%, compared to natural stone alternatives like granite or marble, where silica makes up less than 30%. Crushing and heating quartz releases nano-sized silica dust particles into the air, which the workers inhale during the production of quartz slabs. This prolonged exposure leads to the accumulation of silica particles in their lungs, causing irreversible damage over time.
Dr. Jane Fazio, a co-author of the study and a pulmonary specialist at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, noted that sales of engineered quartz stone countertops have surged by over 600% in the United States in the last decade. The popularity of these countertops stems from their advertised durability, versatility, and low maintenance compared to natural stone.
The connection between silicosis and quartz countertops is not a recent discovery. Over a decade ago, researchers observed silicosis cases among workers fabricating quartz countertops. A 2012 study documented 25 cases among Israeli workers from 1997 to 2010 and warned of more cases unless stringent preventive measures and safety practices were implemented.
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Call for Policy Changes
While silicosis is not a nationally reportable disease, the California Public Health Department began looking for cases after two workers died of severe silicosis in 2018. The recent study confirmed an alarming increase in silicosis among quartz fabricators in California, with only eight of the 52 cases previously reported.
The affected workers were primarily younger men, averaging around 45 years of age, who had spent approximately 15 years in the industry. Most cases were diagnosed between 2019 and 2022, indicating a concerning surge in the incidence of the disease.
One heartbreaking case is that of Leobardo Segura-Meza, a 27-year-old patient of Dr. Jane Fazio who was hospitalized with a collapsed lung and awaits a lung transplant. "Every day I hope that the phone rings telling me to come to the hospital to get my new lungs," he said in a news release.
While some regions are considering bans on the sale, fabrication, and installation of quartz surfaces, experts express concern that this may displace companies to other areas rather than providing a comprehensive solution. On a national level, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates fabrication shops to use "dust controls" to limit silica exposure and to provide workers with respirator masks if necessary. However, workplace safety experts argue that these measures alone are insufficient to protect workers' health.
Moreover, medical exams for workers exposed to high levels of silica dust are rarely conducted. Dr. Fazio suggests implementing a tax on quartz slabs to fund improved employer screening, prevention, and education initiatives. Holding companies accountable for cases of silicosis among their workforce is also crucial to preventing further instances of this preventable and tragic disease.
The surging demand for quartz countertops has inadvertently exposed workers in the fabrication industry to harmful silica dust, leading to a disturbing increase in cases of silicosis. Urgent action and heightened awareness are necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those contributing to this booming industry. Creating a safe working environment is vital for those who labor to provide the materials that adorn countless homes and kitchens worldwide.
