Person cutting silica by using a compact circular saw.
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust (crystalline silica). Silica dust can cause lung inflammation, stiffening, and scarring, which can lead to difficulty breathing, severe lung disease, kidney disease, cancer and death.

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.
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Person cutting silica by using a compact circular saw.

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

is made out of the mineral called quartz which typically contains more than 90% silica. This percentage is higher than what is found in other natural materials.

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.
image displaying symptoms of silica
Image Credit: Using crystalline silica safely

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.

image displaying symptoms of silica
Image Credit: Using crystalline silica safely
During the late stages of silicosis people can get bluish discoloration of lips.

If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor, if you do not have a doctor call 211 or visit 211LA.org and they can assist you with finding a healthcare provider.

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.
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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.

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Prevention

Cal/OSHA Silica Emergency Temporary Standard (Effective 12/29/23)
  • 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
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In addition to the protections employers must provide, to minimize exposure of silica particles while cutting, workers should wear personal protective equipment such as tight-fitting goggles and a well-fitted respirator.

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.
In order to prevent silicosis employers are required to:
  • Minimize workers exposure to silica dust
  • 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 materials containing silica
  • Train staff on how to minimize exposure
  • Provide appropriate respirators
To reduce breathing in silica dust particles the most important safety measures employees should take when cutting quartz is to:
  • 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
Additional safety measures that are recommended for workers are to:
  • 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

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
California Occupational Safety and Health Act (CAL/OSHA)
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Georgia Institute of Technology Safety, Health, and Environmental Services
U.S. Department of Labor - Controlling Respirable Crystalline Silica Guidance Videos (2019):

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
  • Hazard Warning: Silica Dust from Countertop Fabrication- Information for Employers: English
  • Workplace Air Monitoring for Silica - Employers Guide: English | Español
Written Silica Exposure Control Plan
U.S. Department of Labor-Occupational Safety & Health Agency (OSHA)
Department Of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Los Angeles County Residents
California Residents