The Silent Threat: Silicosis and the Health Hazards of Countertop Cutting
Silicosis, a severe and incurable lung disease, is wreaking havoc among workers involved in cutting stone countertops. The alarming rise in younger individuals being affected has raised concerns about the lack of adequate protection in the industry. In this blog post, we delve into the symptoms of silicosis, the risks faced by workers, and the urgent need for improved safety measures. Silicosis, traditionally associated with older workers, has now begun to afflict individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, with some facing terminal diagnoses at an alarmingly young age. Latino immigrants engaged in cutting heavy slabs of engineered stone in California's Pacoima region are particularly vulnerable to this severe lung disease due to their exposure to hazardous levels of silica dust. Silicosis occurs when tiny particles of silica, a common mineral found in various types of rock and soil, are inhaled. According to the American Lung Association, the disease develops gradually over time, ofte