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Engineered Stone Countertops Tied to Silicosis as Doctors Push for Reform
Key Takeaways
- A Canadian Medical Association Journal article describes a 47-year-old countertop worker diagnosed with silicosis after a CT scan revealed lung nodules during treatment for a minor lung injury.
- The patient had worked with engineered stone for 10 years; his condition worsened over 18 months after diagnosis and he is now awaiting assessment for a lung transplant.
- Silicosis is caused by inhaling silica crystals, and cases tied to engineered stone were first reported in the early 2010s in Spain and Italy before spreading elsewhere.
- Workers at small businesses using dry-cutting and processing techniques may be more vulnerable than those at larger firms requiring wet cutting and safety protocols.
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DT Editorial Team··via medicalxpress.com