Health Labor News

"Quartz Countertop Workers Suffering Deadly Lung Disease: A Harrowing Testimony"

Workers involved in the production of engineered stone countertops, made from crushed quartz, are facing deadly lung diseases such as silicosis due to high levels of crystalline silica in the material. Many immigrant Latino workers, who dominate the industry, are falling ill, with some requiring lung transplants and facing shortened life expectancies. Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers for failing to warn workers about the dangers, prompting questions about safety practices and regulations in the industry. Measures are being taken in some states and by manufacturers to address the issue, but the effectiveness of these measures in preventing silicosis remains uncertain.