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Quartz Countertops

All articles tagged with #quartz countertops

health26 days ago•57 min saved

Stone-cutting illness spurs a second chance: a California dad’s battle with silicosis and a transplant

A San Fernando Valley stone worker, Enrique Gonzalez, developed silicosis after years of cutting engineered quartz countertops, leaving him unable to work and increasingly short of breath. He received a double lung transplant this summer and is now recovering at home with restrictions. California has seen a surge in silicosis cases (about 631 since 2019, with 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants), many undiagnosed; 151 cases so far this year. Gonzalez’s family is pursuing legal action against manufacturers they blame for the illness and has relied on GoFundMe to cover medical and daily costs, highlighting a broader occupational-health crisis tied to engineered stone.

via Yahoo|

#california #health #lung-transplant

health26 days ago•6 min saved

California Man Gets a Second Breath After Silicosis Battle

A San Fernando Valley stone worker with silicosis from engineered quartz countertops received a double lung transplant, marking a dramatic turn in his health after years of illness. California has seen hundreds of silicosis cases in recent years, many of which require transplants and have spurred legal action against manufacturers, underscoring a widening occupational-safety crisis in the stone industry.

via New York Post|

#california #health #lung-transplant

health29 days ago•2 min saved

Quartz Countertop Workers in California Face Deadly Silicosis Spike

A seven-year California study links silica dust from engineered stone to silicosis, locating 592 cases (2019–2026) with 65 transplants and 31 deaths; most patients were Latino men and the median age at diagnosis was 46. Although safety rules exist and silicosis became reportable in 2025, exposure persists with few inspections and widespread violations, prompting calls for stronger controls (and even a ban on engineered stone) alongside safer substitutes and improved surveillance.

via KCRA|

#california #engineered-stone #health

health29 days ago•52 min saved

California Faces Sharp Rise in Silicosis Linked to Quartz Countertops, Study Finds

A California state study documents a surge in silicosis among workers exposed to silica dust from engineered quartz countertops, reporting 631 cases and 31 deaths since 2019, with about half of victims in Los Angeles County and a median age of 52; 65 lung transplants have occurred, and 151 cases have already been diagnosed this year (40 in the last month). Regulators say compliance with safety standards is poor and CAL/OSHA is weighing a ban on quartz countertops to curb the outbreak, following emergency standards implemented in 2023.

via Yahoo|

#california #calosha #health

health29 days ago•26 min saved

California Silicosis Surge Tied to Quartz Countertops Sparks Safety Push

A state study links a surge in silicosis among California workers to quartz/manufactured stone countertops, with about 631 cases since 2019 (151 this year, 40 in the last month), 31 deaths, and 65 lung transplants. Most victims are middle-aged men, many in Los Angeles County, and safety violations are widespread in shops handling engineered stone. Regulators attribute the crisis to rising demand for the material and are moving to stricter rules, including a potential ban on certain fabrication tasks. A GoFundMe is aiding Enrique Gonzalez, a San Fernando Valley worker affected by the disease.

via New York Post|

#cal-osha #california #health

health2 months ago•13 min saved

Engineered stone crisis: Quartz countertops linked to deadly silicosis in the U.S.

Two occupational health experts warn that engineered stone countertops (often marketed as quartz) expose workers to crystalline silica, fueling a growing silicosis crisis in the U.S. California has diagnosed more than 550 cases, with about 100 lung transplants and at least 30 deaths since 2019. Lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers are rising while enforcement remains under-resourced; global outbreaks have led to regulatory changes elsewhere, and calls mount for stricter rules or a US ban on crystalline silica–containing engineered stone.

via The Conversation|

#engineered-stone #health #occupational-health

health6 months ago•10 min saved

Dusty Crisis: California's Engineered Quartz Silicosis Sparks Legal Battles

California faces a rising silicosis crisis among workers who cut and polish engineered quartz countertops; the incurable disease can develop after as little as two years of exposure. More than 500 Californians who work with the material have contracted the disease (median age 46), with over 50 needing lung transplants and 29 deaths. Cal/OSHA has tightened processing rules, while lawsuits mount against slab makers and retailers. Advocates push for a ban or licensing; opponents say safety controls can work. The burden disproportionately affects Latino immigrant men, as shown by Oakland’s Jose Peña.

via The Mercury News|

#california #calosha #health

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Rising Cases of Black Lung Linked to Popular Quartz Worktops

Doctors are raising alarms about a rising epidemic of silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust from cutting quartz countertops. The condition, which causes irreversible lung scarring, is increasingly affecting workers in the stone-cutting industry, particularly those handling engineered quartz with high silica content. Many cases are underdiagnosed, delaying critical treatment. The disease is incurable and can lead to severe health issues, including the need for lung transplants. Researchers emphasize the need for better workplace safety and early screening, especially for vulnerable immigrant workers.

via Daily Mail|

#health #lung-disease #occupational-health

health3 years ago•4 min saved

The Deadly Toll of Fancy Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops, the most popular choice among home renovators and designers, are causing deadly lung disease among the workers who make them, according to a new report. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silica particles, is affecting workers at alarming rates. Quartz countertops contain triple the silica content of natural materials like granite or marble, making them more hazardous. The study calls for measures to protect workers from silica dust exposure, faster diagnosis of the disease, and even a potential ban on quartz countertops. California has already taken steps to address the issue, including investigating non-compliant fabrication shops and considering a ban on the sale and installation of silica fabricated stone.

via New York Post |

#health #lung-disease #public-health