Engineered Stone–Associated Silicosis—A Lethal Variant of an Ancient Disease

Workers at Risk of Silicosis—Ongoing Overexposure and Lack of Medical Surveillance

“…To the Editor The Original Investigation by Fazio et al together with the Editorial by Hua et al are humbling reminders that occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica continues to affect worker health. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) addresses these exposures through enforceable standards.…”

Preventing the Continuing Tragedy of Silicosis—Reply

“…Widespread medical surveillance for early disease detection among engineered stone workers, as has been instituted in Australia, is greatly needed. Given that sales of engineered stone products are expected to increase 10-fold in the US from 2009 to 2029, a nationwide system for reporting silicosis is imperative . Unfortunately, both medical surveillance and a reporting system will be challenging to implement in the US.…”

Preventing the Continuing Tragedy of Silicosis

“…To the Editor The case reports of silicosis associated with occupational exposure to dust from engineered stone occurring primarily among young Latino immigrant men are tragic and shocking. Unfortunately, that these cases occurred was also predictable . While fabrication of engineered stone kitchen and bathroom countertops is a relatively new industry, the risks associated with exposure to airborne silica particles have been known for centuries, and reports of lung transplants among engineered stone workers were reported in the scientific literature in 2012 .…”