Incurable Disease Claims Lives of California Countertop Workers

 

Incurable Disease Claims Lives of California Countertop Workers

Within a row of workshops nestled in an industrial area of Pacoima, dedicated workers toiled away on substantial slabs of speckled stone, their saws buzzing amid the backdrop of Spanish-language rock music.

Amidst the dust-laden air, workers continued their tasks, many without protective masks, and some with no means to suppress the rising powder. Maria Cabrera from the nonprofit organization Pacoima Beautiful approached them, clutching pamphlets about silicosis—an incurable and suffocating disease that has wreaked havoc on dozens of workers across California and claimed the lives of individuals barely past middle age.

Cabrera, a community outreach worker, implored them to safeguard themselves against this insidious threat. Silicosis devastates the lungs of workers who inhale minuscule particles of crystalline silica while cutting and grinding stone containing the mineral.

Although the disease has ancient origins, researchers assert that the surging popularity of engineered stone countertops, which contain significantly higher silica concentrations than many natural stones, has sparked a new epidemic of this debilitating illness. As hazardous dust accumulates and scars the lungs, victims find themselves short of breath, weakened, and, ultimately, facing lung failure.

Cabrera, speaking in Spanish, explained to one man in a Dodgers cap that, while a lung transplant is an option, it offers no permanent solution.

In California, young workers, primarily Latino immigrants involved in cutting and polishing engineered stone slabs, have now fallen prey to silicosis. Unlike the usual scenario of people in their 60s or 70s developing the disease after decades of exposure, it now strikes individuals in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, as noted by Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonary critical care physician who became alarmed by cases at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. Some Californian patients have tragically passed away in their 30s.

Pacoima, in particular, has been affected. A 27-year-old father from the area now struggles to keep up with his 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son at the park, as his oxygen tank depletes during their playtime. Leobardo Segura Meza, formerly employed in cutting, polishing, and installing countertops around Los Angeles County for a decade, endured constant dust exposure without adequate protection. He ultimately suffered a persistent cough, weight loss, and even a lung collapse before being diagnosed with silicosis.

Segura Meza, speaking in Spanish, expressed his fear that, as more workers succumb to the disease, there won't be enough lungs available for transplants. He lamented the loss of two co-workers who died while waiting for lung transplants, a sentiment he shared at a state hearing during the summer.

To raise awareness among workers, Cabrera and Claudia Vasquez, another outreach worker from Pacoima Beautiful, distributed information in the Home Depot parking lot in San Fernando, where laborers gathered seeking job opportunities. Few were aware of the disease's existence.

One man inquired, in Spanish, about the seriousness of the illness, leaning against a palm tree in the parking lot. Cabrera explained that there was no cure and urged him to use wet saws to reduce dangerous dust in the air and NIOSH-approved respirators to prevent inhalation. Workplace safety regulators have recommended various measures, including water spraying systems, ventilation, vacuum systems for dust removal, and protective respirators, especially full-face masks when silica levels in the air are high.

The risks are substantial for industry workers, with estimates varying, but some screenings in Australia indicating that approximately 1 in 5 stone workers have silicosis. In California, regulators estimate that out of approximately 4,000 industry workers statewide, 485 to 848 could be afflicted, with as many as 161 potentially losing their lives.

A recent UCLA and UCSF study found that almost a fifth of California workers who developed silicosis from countertop work had died, with a median age at death of 46. More than half faced delays in diagnosis, as the disease was initially misidentified as bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis. Over a third already had severe lung scarring upon diagnosis.

Los Angeles County has seen a disproportionate number of cases, with 60 out of 83 cases among countertop workers across the state identified since 2019.

Now, California workplace safety regulators are developing emergency rules to protect workers, especially as engineered stone increasingly dominates the countertop industry. This material, sometimes called artificial or synthetic stone, is composed of crushed quartz bonded with resin. L.A. County is also considering the possibility of banning the sale and installation of "silica engineered stone."

While existing safety standards must be adhered to, officials believe additional changes are necessary to enhance workplace safety. Dr. Nichole Quick from the L.A. County public health department emphasized that this is a preventable disease, and appropriate measures should be taken to make workplaces safer.

The question at hand, for both the county and regulators worldwide, is whether any safeguards can effectively protect workers dealing with high-silica materials. The Agglomerated Stone Manufacturers Association, an international group representing engineered stone manufacturers, contends that their products can be cut safely when proper safety measures are followed. They argue that safety regulations need simplification and rigorous enforcement. The Stone Coalition, representing both fabricators and manufacturers, warns of dire economic consequences if L.A. County imposes a ban, advocating instead for stricter enforcement and training on workplace safety, particularly the elimination of "dry cutting."

The Los Angeles County Business Federation suggests that enforcing safety regulations will prevent disease without adversely affecting construction costs during a housing crisis.

On the contrary, Raphael Metzger, a Long Beach attorney representing workers suing engineered stone manufacturers like Cambria and Caesarstone for damages, argues that standard safety measures like respirators fall short. Even with "wet methods," workers may still be exposed to dangerous silica levels, as NIOSH research has found.

Metzger insists that sophisticated and costly measures required to protect engineered stone workers are not economically feasible, given that immigrant workers often labor in small shops and are paid in cash. He believes that engineered stone is too perilous for safe use and should be banned altogether.

Segura Meza concurs, describing it as "very deadly." Vasquez, from Pacoima Beautiful, notes that many workers question why stores selling these products aren't held accountable.

In Australia, where a potential engineered stone ban is under consideration, a professional group assessing worker health hazards has concluded that high silica concentrations in engineered stone pose challenges for protective measures such as wet cutting and ventilation. Additional respiratory protection measures are necessary, and a ban on engineered stone containing over 10% crystalline silica is proposed.

In California, existing rules have often been disregarded, with widespread violations uncovered by Cal/OSHA in 2019 and 2020. Now, they are hastily drafting emergency standards to safeguard California stone cutting and polishing workers.

Despite the rising threat of this deadly disease, homeowners and countertop consumers remain largely unaware of the potential risks to workers. Engineered stone accounts for over 60% of countertop materials, with its popularity expected to continue growing.

Dr. Fazio emphasizes that consumers have the right to know about the potential dangers lurking behind their kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Engineered stone is pervasive, but its hidden dangers should not be underestimated.