Massachusetts Man Diagnosed With Deadly Lung Disease Linked to Popular Kitchen Countertops

Massachusetts health officials announced Tuesday that the state confirmed its first case of an incurable lung disease linked to exposure to certain countertop stones.

The disease is particularly associated with quartz, which has become increasingly popular in recent years for its practicality and aesthetics, according to health officials.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said a 40-year-old man, who has worked in the stone countertop industry for 14 years, was recently diagnosed with silicosis, a condition that can cause death.

“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat. It is here and it is seriously impacting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” DPH Director Emily H. Sparer-Fine said in a statement.

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The unnamed patient was reportedly performing activities such as cutting, grinding and polishing, which can generate crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, this dust damages lung tissue and can cause silicosis, the DPH said.

The disease is preventable but irreversible and progressive, officials said. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain. Because there is often a long latency period between exposure and the onset of symptoms, diagnoses are often delayed, according to DPH.

As the disease progresses, it can lead to serious complications such as lung cancer, tuberculosis and even death, the department added.

Officials added that “most cases of silicosis are work-related; it is very rare for silicosis to occur outside of workplace exposure.”

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Officials said the risk exists when handling natural stones, such as granite, but is especially high when working with artificial stone, such as quartz. While natural granite typically contains less than 45% silica, artificial stone can contain more than 90%, the DPH reported.

“In recent years, the disease has become more common among stone manufacturing workers due to the rise in popularity of countertops made of engineered stone (also known as quartz or engineered stone),” the DPH reported.

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The department noted that while this is the first confirmed case in Massachusetts within this industry, more cases are expected due to the long latency period of the disease and the growing popularity of artificial stone.

Other states have also reported cases of silicosis. In a 2023 study, California researchers identified 52 quartz countertop workers with silicosis. Twenty of them had advanced disease and 10 died.

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Despite the possible severity of the disease, there has not been an outright ban on quartz in American kitchens. On the contrary, in Australia all work with artificial stone has already been banned due to the serious risks it poses to workers. Other countries are also pushing for more regulations.

The DPH emphasizes that silicosis is “absolutely preventable” through proper workplace controls. The alert urges employers in the stone countertop manufacturing industry to implement effective safety measures, such as wet cutting and adequate ventilation, to minimize exposure to silica and protect workers.

“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease that is absolutely preventable,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this headline incorrectly reported that the worker in question died. The story has been corrected.