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Crystalline silica artificial stone countertops have become a staple in modern kitchens and bathrooms, prized for their sleek appearance and durability. However, behind the polished surfaces lies a growing health crisis that is devastating workers in the countertop fabrication industry. A recent InvestigateTV article and video broadcast by journalists Anna Werner, Daniela Molina, Jamie Grey, and Scotty Smith sheds light on the alarming rise of accelerated silicosis among crystalline silica artificial stone countertop workers—a disease that is both incurable and fatal.
What Is Silicosis and Why Are Crystalline Silica Artificial Stone Workers at Risk?
Silicosis is a progressive lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Crystalline silica artificial stone—also referred to as quartz, engineered, artificial or manufactured stone—contains at least 90% silica, significantly more than natural stone like granite or marble. Crystalline silica artificial stone dust is uniquely toxic. When slabs are cut, ground or polished, they release nano-sized silica particles (much smaller than those found in natural stone slabs) into the air, along with toxic metals, glues, resins, and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pose severe health hazards.
According to the article and broadcast, fabrication workers exposed to these particles are developing accelerated silicosis, a fast-moving form of the incurable fatal disease that can lead to lung failure within a few years, even after exposure for as little as weeks or months. Many cases require lung transplants, and fatalities continue to rise.
Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonologist interviewed for the report, explained:
“These particles are so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irreversible scarring,” she said. “Once the damage is done, there’s no way to reverse it.”
The Human Toll: Real Stories Behind the Statistics
The report highlights heartbreaking stories of workers and their employers who were unaware of the dangers lurking in their workplaces. These individuals often worked long hours cutting and grinding crystalline silica artificial stone without knowing the dangers to which they were being exposed. The result? Permanent lung damage and shortened life expectancy.
One tragic story is that of Tyler Jordan, a young father diagnosed with advanced silicosis after just a few years of fabricating crystalline silica artificial stone slabs into countertops. His life changed overnight as he faced kidney failure and a transplant as well as lung failure and the possibility of a lung transplant. Jordan expressed his frustration in the InvestigateTV report:
“I think it’s a little bit ridiculous when a product is this dangerous to not have any repercussions about, you know, putting it out and getting people sick or essentially killing them,” Jordan said.
Jordan’s comments were directed at HR 5437, a proposed foreign manufacturer bailout bill that would prohibit crystalline silica artificial stone manufacturers and distributors from being sued in the U.S. and would indemnify them from damages for a product they allegedly knew could not be safely fabricated by human beings—and continued to sell anyway. This legislation has sparked outrage among health advocates and victims, as it prioritizes corporate profits of mostly foreign companies over human lives of U.S. workers.
His wife described the emotional toll on their family, as they grapple with uncertainty and mounting medical bills. Stories like Tyler’s are becoming alarmingly common among countertop fabrication workers across the country, even from the most sophisticated fabrication shops that have always followed the OSHA guidelines.
Brayton Purcell LLP has documented similar trends in California, where nearly 500 cases of silicosis have been confirmed among countertop workers, with at least 27 fatalities and 54 individuals receiving lung transplants, as well as in many other U.S. states. This underscores the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for awareness and accountability. Read more on our blog.
Why Is This Happening?
Despite growing awareness, the popularity of crystalline silica artificial stone has surged over the past two decades. Its affordability and aesthetic appeal have driven demand, but the health risks remain largely hidden from consumers. While regulatory agencies have introduced exposure limits, these measures have not eliminated, and will not eliminate, the danger. Unlike with natural stone or recycled glass stone, even minimal exposure to crystalline silica artificial stone dust particles (many of the particles invisible) can cause irreversible lung damage. The permissible exposure levels (PELs) put in place by regulators were designed for natural stone and therefore are still well above the threshold for causing this fatal illness from “uniquely toxic” artificial stone. Over one hundred global peer-reviewed medical studies show that the safe fabrication of crystalline silica artificial stone slabs by human beings is not possible.
Legal Options for Affected Workers
Workers diagnosed with silicosis may have legal rights to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. At Brayton Purcell LLP, we have decades of experience representing individuals harmed by toxic exposures, including silica-related diseases. Our team is committed to helping victims and their families seek justice.
Learn more about silica exposure and silicosis and how we can assist you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with silicosis after working with crystalline silica artificial stone, contact Brayton Purcell LLP today for a free consultation. Your health and future matter—don’t wait to explore your legal options.