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Killer Dust: The Hidden Danger in Stone Countertops
10 Dec
Summary
- Massachusetts warns of lethal silica dust risk in countertop industry.
- Engineered stone countertops pose higher silica risk than granite.
- Preventable dust exposure leads to incurable, disabling lung disease.
Massachusetts health officials have issued an urgent alert to the stone countertop fabrication industry concerning the severe health risks associated with inhaling silica dust. This comes after the state confirmed its first case of silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease, in a worker with 14 years of occupational exposure.
Historically linked to mining and construction, silicosis is now increasingly prevalent among stone fabrication workers, particularly due to the rise of engineered stone countertops, which contain a higher concentration of silica than natural stones like granite. Processes like cutting and polishing release fine, breathable silica dust, which can cause irreversible lung scarring, severe inflammation, and increase the risk of lung cancer.
The state Department of Public Health stresses that employers have a responsibility to protect workers from this preventable exposure. While the confirmed case is the first in Massachusetts, a growing number of diagnoses in other states suggests a broader, potentially undetected crisis. Effective prevention strategies include dust suppression through water systems, local exhaust ventilation, proper respirator masks, air monitoring, and comprehensive safety training.
