Silicosis is the chronic fibrosing disease of the lungs produced by prolonged and extensive exposure to free crystalline silica dust. This toxic dust is created from cutting, sawing, grinding, and drilling stones and other types of materials. When manufacturers, installers, and fabricators of engineered stone inhale crystalline silica (dust), the lung tissue reacts by developing fibrotic nodules and scarring around the trapped silica particles. This fibrotic condition of the lung is called silicosis. If the nodules grow too large, breathing becomes difficult, and death may result. Silicosis victims are also at high risk of developing active tuberculosis. More than one million U.S. workers are exposed to crystalline silica, and each year hundreds of these workers die from silicosis. Silicosis treatment is very limited as there is no cure for the disease, but it is 100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposure.

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In 2023, the engineered stone industry came to the forefront of public attention after the American Medical Association released the study “Silicosis Among Immigrant Engineered Stone Countertop Fabrications Workers in California,” which highlighted the serious danger stone workers were put in through years of exposure to crystalline silica. Since this publication’s release, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a new enforcement and compliance initiative to protect stone fabricators and installers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust.

Unfortunately, these guidelines and enforcement initiatives are too late, and thousands of men and women have already suffered serious health complications such as Silicosis from prolonged exposure. Many have filed silicosis lawsuits against employers and stone manufacturers, alleging negligence in the workplace and a failure to institute preventative measures to mitigate the risks of silica dust exposure.

If someone is exposed to too much silica dust without proper protection, like special masks or other safety equipment, the dust can cause scars to form in their lungs. These scars make it harder for the lungs to take in oxygen and pass it to the blood. As a result, people with silicosis may find it difficult to breathe and move around easily.

Unfortunately, once someone has silicosis, it cannot be cured. The disease can get worse over time, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.

There are three types of silicosis:

1. Chronic Silicosis: Chronic silicosis is the least severe form of the disease and typically develops upwards of 10 years after sustained exposure to relatively low levels of RCS. Chronic silicosis is further subdivided into two categories:
2. Simple silicosis: This form may not present any symptoms and has minimal impact on lung function. Although the damage caused by silicosis is irreversible, it is more manageable in simple silicosis compared to other forms.
3. Complicated silicosis: In this form, symptoms are similar to more advanced stages of the disease but are less severe. These may include difficulty breathing, weight loss, and a progressive cough.
4. Accelerated Silicosis: Accelerated silicosis usually occurs around 5 years after overexposure to silica dust in the workplace. Compared to chronic silicosis, accelerated silicosis is characterized by more pronounced lung inflammation and scarring. One of the most severe consequences of accelerated silicosis is pulmonary fibrosis, which can be so severe that a lung transplant may be necessary.
5. Acute Silicosis: Acute silicosis is the most severe form of the disease and can develop within months of sustained exposure to high levels of RCS in hazardous working conditions. Symptoms of acute silicosis often include lung inflammation, fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), fever, weight loss, and a worsening cough.

The progression and severity of silicosis are directly related to the duration and intensity of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. To prevent the development of this irreversible occupational lung disease, proper workplace safety measures and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment are essential.

Continued exposure to silica dust may result in a shortness of breath on exercising, possible fever and occasionally bluish skin at the ear lobes or lips. Silicosis makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases of the lungs, such as tuberculosis. Progression of silicosis leads to fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, loss of appetite, pains in the chest, and respiratory failure, which may cause death.

Medical evaluations of silicosis victims usually show the lungs to be filled with silica crystals and a protein material. Pulmonary fibrosis (fibrous tissue in the lung) may or may not develop in acute cases of silicosis depending on the time between the exposure and the onset of symptoms. Furthermore, evidence indicates that crystalline silica is a potential occupational carcinogen.

While silicosis is arguably the most well-known consequence of RCS exposure, this debilitating lung disease often comes hand-in-hand with other serious health complications.

If you have been exposed to high levels of silica dust in your workplace and are experiencing symptoms, you may be suffering from one or more of the health complications linked to RCS exposure.

1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction and breathing difficulties. Studies have shown that individuals exposed to RCS have a higher risk of developing COPD, especially if they are smokers.
2. Lung Cancer: Research has revealed a startling connection between RCS exposure and lung cancer. Even in the absence of other risk factors like smoking, individuals who have been exposed to high levels of silica dust have an increased likelihood of developing this life-threatening disease.
3. Kidney Disease: Emerging evidence suggests that silica exposure may be linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If you have been exposed to RCS and are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination, it is crucial to consult with a medical professional.
4. Bronchitis: Inhalation of silica dust can cause inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tubes, leading to bronchitis. Symptoms of bronchitis include persistent coughing, mucus production, and breathing difficulties. If left untreated, bronchitis can lead to more severe respiratory problems.
5. Pneumoconiosis: Pneumoconiosis is a general term for lung diseases caused by the inhalation of mineral dusts, including silica. In certain occupational settings, other types of pneumoconiosis, such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and asbestosis, may occur alongside silicosis.