Massachusetts confirms first quartz-linked silicosis case
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Tuesday it has confirmed the state’s first case of silicosis tied to engineered stone (quartz) countertop fabrication, involving a 40-year-old man who spent 14 years cutting, grinding and polishing stone. DPH warned the incurable, progressive lung disease is preventable and urged employers to adopt controls such as wet cutting and ventilation, noting engineered stone can contain over 90% silica and carries higher risk than many natural stones; the agency expects more cases given long disease latency.
📌 Key Facts
- Patient: 40-year-old male stone countertop worker with 14 years’ exposure; diagnosed with silicosis
- Agency: Massachusetts DPH issued alert; quote from director Emily H. Sparer-Fine
- Risk: Engineered stone (quartz) may exceed 90% silica vs. many granites under ~45%
- Health: Silicosis is irreversible and can lead to lung cancer, tuberculosis and death
- Context: 2023 California study found 52 quartz workers with silicosis; 20 advanced cases; 10 deaths
📊 Relevant Data
In a 2023 California study of silicosis among engineered stone countertop fabrication workers, 51 out of 52 patients were Latino, all were male, with a median age of 45 years at diagnosis, and 51 were immigrants primarily from Mexico (62%) and El Salvador (27%); this reflects the demographic composition of workers in the industry, where many are undocumented (38% proxy) and face inadequate dust controls and protective equipment.
Silicosis Among Immigrant Engineered Stone (Quartz) Countertop Fabrication Workers in California — JAMA Internal Medicine
In the United States, most engineered stone workers diagnosed with silicosis are relatively young, male, and Hispanic/Latino, which largely reflects the demographic composition of workers in the engineered stone countertop fabrication industry; Hispanics/Latinos comprise about 19% of the US population but are overrepresented in this high-risk occupation.
Massachusetts Public Health Officials Issue Safety Alert to Employers After State’s First Confirmed Silicosis Case in Stone Countertop Industry — Massachusetts Department of Public Health
The first confirmed case of silicosis associated with occupational exposure in the stone countertop industry in Massachusetts was diagnosed in a Hispanic man in his 40s, aligning with national trends where such cases disproportionately affect Hispanic/Latino workers.
Mass. health officials warn countertop fabricators after state's first silicosis case — WCVB Boston