Home / Health / Silicosis Outbreak: Hundreds Die From Countertop Dust
Silicosis Outbreak: Hundreds Die From Countertop Dust
14 Aug
Summary
- 618 workers diagnosed with silicosis, 32 deaths confirmed.
- Median age of diagnosis is 46, median death age is 52.
- 98% of affected workers are Latino, predominantly male.
Hundreds of California workers who fabricate engineered-stone countertops have been diagnosed with silicosis, a serious and incurable lung disease. State data from the California Department of Public Health indicates 618 confirmed cases and 32 deaths among exposed workers. A new analysis published in NEJM Evidence documented 592 cases between January 2019 and June 2026, highlighting the rapid progression of the disease and the young age of those affected.
Researchers found that 11 percent of affected workers underwent lung transplants, with another 23 percent referred for transplantation. The median age at diagnosis was 46, and the median age at death was 52. Almost all identified patients were men, and 98 percent were Latino. California identified its first known case in January 2019, and surveillance efforts have since expanded.
Despite current regulations and legislative actions like SB 20, which bans dry cutting and mandates safer practices, hazardous exposures continue. Researchers emphasize the need for more active screening, improved surveillance, and greater clinician awareness. A separate bill, AB 2137, aimed to create a state certification system for stone-fabrication businesses but was held in committee in May 2026. The state's current tally continues to rise since the study's cutoff date.
