This disease is irreversible and can progress even if you are no longer exposed to silica dust but with the right measures in place it is preventable. It can take someone 10-30 years to develop silicosis but people who are exposed to high levels of silica dust can develop silicosis faster.

Risk Factors
People who work in industries that involve cutting, chipping, drilling, or grinding of materials that contain silica dust, such as engineered stone, quartz, granite, sandstone, slate, soil or other natural materials are at higher risk of suffering from silicosis. Workers who cut stone countertops specifically engineered stone, are at the highest risk because engineered stone
Out of all the known cases of silicosis in California, more than 60% come from the San Fernando Valley. The north San Fernando Valley has a large number of distributors of quartz countertops and is home to a large workforce in Los Angeles County.
Many people affected by silicosis are in their 30s and have had 9 to 15 years of occupational exposure to silica dust.
Visit California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to view the California Engineered Stone (ES) Silicosis Dashboard to stay up to date on cases and deaths. Data are updated weekly.

Symptoms
People don’t experience any symptoms in the early stages of silicosis, and might not notice any problems until many years later.
Over time, silica can build up and cause damage to the lungs, causing persistent dry cough, shortness of breath and chest pain, weakness and extreme fatigue and other symptoms that may be mistaken for a cold, the flu, asthma, or COVID-19.
The symptoms can continue to get worse, even if you're no longer exposed to silica dust.

If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor, if you do not have a doctor call 211 or visit
A doctor can evaluate you to determine what the cause of your symptoms might be and, always inform the doctor if you work in a high-risk setting or have occupational exposure to silica dust.

Treatment
There is no cure for silicosis. Doctors can treat symptoms to provide some comfort such as oxygen therapy and inhalers and in a few cases a lung transplant can extend your life.

Prevention
- Only use effective water controls to reduce worker exposures to airborne dust- no dry cutting of materials
- Conduct all high-trigger tasks within regulated areas that are clearly identified by warning signs
- Use good housekeeping and hygiene practices that involve only wet methods or high-efficiency (HEPA) vacuums; properly worn respirators; and readily available washing facilities
- Prohibit the use of compressed air, dry sweeping, or shoveling to clean off surfaces
- Encourage employees to report any silicosis related symptoms without fear of reprisal

It is recommended that workers shave facial hair to ensure a tight seal of their protective equipment. Workers should also change into disposable or washable clothing at their worksite to prevent bringing the dust home.
There are other important safety measures employees should take when cutting quartz. They should use wet methods when cutting materials that release silica dust, using wet saws can reduce silica dust from getting into the air. They should also use saw enclosures to prevent silica dust from getting into air ducts and use vacuum systems to capture and move silica dust away from workers.
- Minimize workers exposure
- Prevent silica dust from getting into the air
- Monitor the amount of silica dust in the air
- Control access to areas where employees are cutting or drilling silica products
- Train staff on how to minimize exposure
- Provide appropriate respirators
- Use wet saws to stop silica dust from getting into the air
- Use saw enclosures to stop silica dust from getting into air ducts
- Use vacuum systems to capture and move silica dust away from workers
- Wear appropriate respirators for the task being performed
- Shave facial hair to ensure a tight seal of their protective equipment
- Maintain reusable respirator clean and change filters as indicated
- Change into disposable or washable clothing at their worksite to prevent bringing the dust to their home or vehicles
The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) can do a health evaluation at your worksite.
Resources
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Department of Industrial Relations Cal/OSHA- Health and Safety Rights: Facts for California Workers
English | Español -
Emergency Silica Standard Fact Sheet: Information for Workers English | Español |
Tiếng Việt - Learn More About Silicosis Prevention
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Handheld and Stand-Mounted
Drills - Handheld Grinders for Mortar Removal (Tuckpointing)
- Handheld Grinders for Uses Other Than Mortar Removal
- Handheld Power Saws (Any Blade Diameter)
- Jackhammers and Handheld Powered Chipping Tools
- Stationary Masonry Saws
- Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards in the Workplace Video
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Download: Written Silica Exposure Control Plan for General Industry
Fillable template for employer to enter worksite-specific information.
English | Español |Tiếng Việt -
Download: Written Silica Exposure Control Plan for Construction
Fillable template for employer to enter worksite-specific information. - Online Tool To Create-A-Plan to Control Silica Dust
- Work Safely with Silica Frequently Asked Questions: English | Español
- Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction
- Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime
- Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction Fact Sheet
- Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard Interpretation
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Emergency Silica Standard Executive Summary - What Employers Need to Know: English | Español |
Tiếng Việt -
Silica Emergency Standard Fact Sheet: Information for Employers English | Español |
Tiếng Việt - Employer’s Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Online Report Form
- Engineered Stone Countertop Fabrication
- Letter to Employers- Requirements Regarding Silica Dust Exposure
- Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards
- Silica Standard Overview Chart
- 211LA.org Resources: English | Español
- Test: English | Español
- My Health LA
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Northeast Valley Healthcare Corporation
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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:
(818) 270-9777
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY:
(661) 705-2040
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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:
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Department of Mental Health- Resources & Support English | Español
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Mental health resources & support are available 24/7:
Call Help Line At +1(800)854-7771 (option 1)
Call/Text 988 | Llame/Texto 988
Online Chat 988 LifeLine.org/chat | Chat en español
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Mental health resources & support are available 24/7:
- Covered California
- Full Scope Medi-Cal For All Flyer English | Español
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One Degree
An online resource of searchable and regularly updated nonprofit and government services.
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Western Occupational & Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA)
Medical Facilities In California Offering Medical Surveillance Exams For Silica-Exposed Workers
- Silicosis Resources English | Español | 简体中文 | 繁體中文 | Tiếng Việt
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Silicosis Resources-
Grief & Loss English | Español | 简体中文 | 繁體中文 | Tiếng Việt
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California board backs rules aimed at protecting workers from deadly silicosis - LA Times
(Dec 20, 2024) -
Safer stone? New countertop options emerge amid concerns over silicosis and worker deaths - LA Times
(Oct 21, 2024) -
California workers who cut countertops are dying of an incurable disease - LA Times
(Sept 24, 2023) -
California countertop workers died of a preventable disease. The threat was known years earlier - LA Times
(Nov 19, 2023) -
California embraces emergency rules to protect countertop workers from incurable silicosis - LA Times
(Dec 14, 2023) -
California Issues Emergency Rule To Address Silicosis Epidemi - LAist
(Dec 14, 2023) -
Workers who cut crushed quartz countertops say they are falling ill from a deadly lung disease: "I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy" - CBS News
(Feb 6, 2024) -
Engineered stone is bad for the lungs - The Week
(June 16, 2024)
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Dangers of crushed quartz production - CBS News
(Feb 6, 2024)
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Material de Construcción Podría ser Mortal - Segmento de Noticias Telemundo
(8 de Oct, 2019) -
Enfermedad silenciosa que está amenazando la salud y las vidas de muchos trabajadores inmigrantes - Segmento de Noticias Univision
(4 de Dic, 2022) -
Epidemia Oculta: Un mal se ensaña con los pulmones de trabajadores latinos - Telemundo 52
(13 de Mayo, 2024) -
Epidemia Oculta: Pacientes de silicosis viven con un tanque de oxígeno - Telemundo 52
(14 de Mayo, 2024) -
Epidemia Oculta: Un trasplante de pulmón sería su única opción - Telemundo 52
(16 de Mayo, 2024) -
Te quedan dos años de vida”: hombre narra como la silicosis afectó su salud mental - Telemundo 52
(24 de Marzo, 2025)