Exposure to silica dust is part of the job on many residential and commercial construction sites, where engineered stone has quickly become the building material of choice for countertops. But that same dust is driving a growing number of silicosis cases, a serious lung disease with no cure.
The American Lung Association estimates that about 2.3 million workers in the U.S. are exposed to silica. In recent years, researchers and health officials have linked the dramatic increase in silicosis cases to engineered stone products such as fabricated quartz countertops, which create more silica dust than natural stone when cut, polished and handled.
As cases increase, attention is shifting to why this exposure keeps happening and how countertop manufacturers can prevent it. Understanding what causes silicosis is a key part of that conversation.