What Is Engineered Stone Silicosis? 2024

Respirable crystalline silica dust can cause debilitating lung disease in those who are subjected to prolonged exposure. This disease is called silicosis, and its effects can be deadly. The major culprit in this ongoing crisis could be right in your kitchen — engineered stone countertops. For individuals and families impacted by this disease, understanding its origins, symptoms, and legal implications is critical. So, what is engineered stone silicosis?

The Silent Hazard in Engineered Stone

Engineered stone, prized for its durability and aesthetic appeal, is made by crushing natural quartz and then binding the quartz with resin. As a result, engineered stone is composed of up to 90% crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, and polishing these finished materials can release fine silica particles into the air, and when inhaled, these microscopic particles penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and extensive scarring (fibrosis).

This condition, known as silicosis, can lead to severe respiratory issues and even death.

Unlike naturally occurring stones like granite or marble, engineered stone poses a far greater risk due to its exceptionally high silica content. Workers who handle these materials without proper protection are especially vulnerable, often developing symptoms after just a few years of exposure.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Silicosis is insidious, often developing without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, individuals may experience:

• Persistent coughing.
• Shortness of breath, especially after exertion.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Chest pain or tightness.

In advanced cases, silicosis can lead to progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), a condition where extensive lung scarring significantly impairs breathing. This progression highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.

Diagnosing Engineered Stone Silicosis

Diagnosing silicosis requires a specialized medical evaluation, including imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans. Pulmonary function tests may also be performed to assess lung capacity and breathing efficiency. If silicosis is suspected, a history of occupational exposure to silica dust is often the key piece of information linking these symptoms to the disease.

Workers should inform their healthcare providers about any history of exposure, even if symptoms seem mild. Early detection can slow the disease’s progression and improve quality of life.

Prevention and Workplace Responsibilities

While silicosis is incurable, it is entirely preventable. Employers in the engineered stone industry must take responsibility for implementing strict safety protocols, including:

• Using water suppression techniques during cutting and grinding.
• Ensuring adequate ventilation and dust collection systems.
• Providing workers with NIOSH-approved respirators.
• Conducting regular air quality monitoring and health check-ups.

Failure to enforce these safeguards exposes workers to unnecessary risks and may constitute a violation of workplace safety laws. Employers who neglect these measures can be held accountable for endangering their employees’ health.

Legal Considerations for Affected Workers

For workers diagnosed with silicosis, the financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished quality of life often accompany this condition. In such cases, seeking legal help can provide a path toward compensation and justice.

Employers and manufacturers may be held liable if they fail to implement safety measures or warn workers about the risks of silica exposure.

Victims of engineered stone silicosis may be entitled to compensation to address the extensive physical, emotional, and financial impacts of the disease. Medical expenses are a significant part of these claims, covering costs for diagnostic tests like X-rays and CT scans, specialist consultations, ongoing treatments, and management of complications like infections or advanced respiratory failure.

In severe cases, compensation may also account for future treatments, including the possibility of lung transplants. Beyond medical costs, victims often face substantial financial strain due to lost wages during treatment and recovery. Those unable to return to work may also claim compensation for diminished earning capacity, which reflects their inability to earn at the same level as before their diagnosis.

Additional damages may be awarded for pain and suffering, acknowledging the emotional and physical hardship endured by victims and their families. In cases where negligence by employers or manufacturers contributed to unsafe exposure, punitive damages may also apply, serving as both a deterrent and acknowledgment of the damage that was inflicted upon the victim.

Compensation is not only a means of financial relief but also an essential step in holding responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Beyond the Worker: The Ripple Effects of Silicosis

Silicosis doesn’t just impact the individual worker; it affects families, communities, and even the industry as a whole. Families often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities and financial strain, and communities may face the loss of experienced workers and economic productivity.

On a larger scale, the rise in silicosis cases highlights systemic issues within the engineered stone industry, including inadequate regulation and enforcement. Advocacy for stricter safety standards and corporate accountability is essential when attempting to address these challenges.

FAQs

Q: Can Engineered Stone Silicosis Affect Individuals Who Don’t Directly Fabricate the Material?

A: Yes, secondary exposure is possible. Family members of fabricators may be at risk if workers bring home silica dust on their clothing, skin, or equipment. Even individuals living near fabrication shops could face exposure if proper dust containment measures are not in place.

Preventive measures, like showering, changing clothes before leaving the worksite, and thoroughly cleaning tools, can help mitigate these risks. Employers must ensure adequate decontamination protocols to prevent harm to workers and their loved ones.

Q: Are There Long-Term Health Effects Beyond the Lungs?

A: While silicosis primarily affects the lungs, severe cases can lead to systemic complications, including heart strain caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. Additionally, individuals with silicosis are at heightened risk of developing tuberculosis or lung cancer. Comprehensive medical management and monitoring are essential to address these broader health concerns, but prevention is the number one tool in every worker’s arsenal.

Q: Can Engineered Stone Silicosis Develop Years After Exposure Stops?

A: Yes, silicosis can have a delayed onset. Even after leaving the industry, workers who have been exposed to silica dust could develop symptoms years later — this is because lung damage continues to progress. This prolonged onset scenario underscores the importance of ongoing medical monitoring for former fabricators.

Workers who believe they are safe after switching careers — or retiring — should remain vigilant about their respiratory health and seek medical advice if symptoms appear.

Q: How Can Legal Action Drive Industry-Wide Change?

A: Legal action not only compensates victims, but it also serves as a powerful deterrent against negligence. Claims can push employers and manufacturers to adopt stricter safety protocols, invest in safer materials, and enhance their training programs.

Experienced & Successful Silicosis Attorneys

By holding the responsible parties accountable, litigation can help inspire systemic reforms that can benefit the entire industry. Workers who take legal steps play a crucial role in driving long-term improvements in workplace safety and health standards.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with engineered stone silicosis, the office of Wallace & Graham, P.A., can help. With decades of experience in toxic exposure litigation, our attorneys are uniquely positioned to uncover all liable parties, fight for your rights, and advocate for the justice you deserve.

Contact us today for a consultation, and together, we can ensure your financial stability.