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Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, cough that doesn’t subside, chest pain, weight loss, bluish lip discoloration, fatigue and weakness could be symptoms of silicosis in individuals who have been exposed to silica dust. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust is frequent in the quartz countertops industry, construction and mining. However, anyone could be exposed to silica dust when in proximity to it, including those who might live or work near a mine, a stone cutting facility, around glass manufacturing, construction sites, etc.
Also, family members of workers in those industries might be at risk due to second-hand exposures. When small particles of silica dust are released into the air, they become what is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS). These particles are small and light enough to remain suspended in the air and are easily inhaled. Inhalation of such particles can cause silicosis, but also lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal disease, susceptibility to tuberculosis, and other autoimmune conditions.
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis caused by crystalline silica dust inhalation. As silica is inhaled, it accumulates in the lungs unable to be expelled, causing inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue which eventually can lead to respiratory failure. Silicosis is not curable, and treatment consists of preventing further exposures along with symptom management.
- Chronic silicosis typically develops after approximately 10 years of moderate exposures.
- Accelerated silicosis can develop relatively quickly with heavy exposures, often within 5 to 10 years.
- Acute silicosis can develop within several weeks of very heavy exposures.
Diagnosing silicosis
If symptoms do not ease with antibiotics’ treatment and treatment aimed at other conditions with similar symptoms, a physician will investigate the diagnosis by ordering imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan. A sputum test and bronchoscopy will be able to further help refine a diagnosis. Finally, if inconclusive, a surgical lung biopsy will be performed under general anesthesia to obtain a tissue sample of analysis.
Countertops and silicosis
Manufacturing of engineered stone countertops, also known as “artificial stone” or “quartz” has been identified as the source of current silica exposures among workers in that industry and the cause of a new silicosis epidemic.
In recent years, as engineered stone has grown in popularity and become the most frequently used countertop material, cases of silicosis have also skyrocketed. The reason for this lies both in the way this stone is manufactured and the fact that such products contain upward of 90% crystalline silica, compared to approximately 30% in granite and less than 10% in marble. Unlike solid stone surfaces, manufacturing of engineered stone involves combining ground stone material with resin, a process that makes it easier for silica particles to become airborne during the manufacturing process as well as cutting and finishing of the material.
Manufacturers of engineered stone
- Caesarstone USA, Inc.
- Cambria Company, LLC
- Cosentino Group
- Color Marble, Inc.
- Silestone
- MS International
- Vicostone
- Francini, Inc.