‘It is here’: Man diagnosed with deadly lung disease after years of working with one of the most popular kitchen materials in America

Health officials in Massachusetts have reported the state’s first case of silicosis that cannot be cured. This deadly lung disease is directly connected to years of working with engineered kitchen stones like quartz. These countertops have become extremely popular in modern kitchens across the country.

According to Fox News, the patient is a 40-year-old man who spent 14 years working in the stone countertop business. Silicosis happens when workers breathe in crystalline silica dust. This dust comes from cutting, grinding, or polishing stone. Once inhaled, the dust scars lung tissue and makes breathing very difficult. The condition gets worse over time and cannot be reversed.

“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat. It is here, and it is seriously impacting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” Emily H. Sparer-Fine, a director at the Department of Public Health, said. 

Engineered stone carries much higher risks than natural materials

Quartz countertops are everywhere in home design right now. They are practical, strong, and look great, which explains why they have become so popular. But the attractive appearance comes with extreme risks for the workers who make them.

Officials warn that engineered stone is far more dangerous than natural stone like granite. Natural granite usually contains less than 45% silica. Engineered stone, however, can contain up to 90% silica. Because of the growing use of engineered stone, the disease has become much more common among stone workers in recent years. 

While workers face these hidden dangers, many have spoken out on social media about the hazardous workplace conditions they experience. One major problem is that the disease takes a long time to appear. Symptoms often do not show up until years after the first exposure.

This delay means many workers are not diagnosed until the condition is already severe. Workers should watch for constant coughing, trouble breathing, tiredness, and chest pain. As silicosis advances, it can cause tuberculosis, lung cancer, and death.

Most silicosis cases are work-related, which makes the situation frustrating because the disease can be completely prevented. California researchers found 52 quartz countertop workers with silicosis in 2023. Twenty had advanced disease, and 10 died.

Massachusetts officials expect more cases to appear because of the disease’s long delay period and the widespread use of engineered stone over the past ten years. Australia has already banned all work with engineered stone because of the severe risks to workers.

Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said employers must immediately use safety measures like wet cutting and proper ventilation to protect workers from silica exposure. The debate over worker protections continues as politicians discuss immigration and language barriers in workplace safety communications.