Silicosis Epidemic in California Leads to New Worker Safety Law

"My lungs couldn't take it anymore. They were already collapsing. I was always a hardworking person who helped my parents, my children, my family. I always helped them whenever I could, and working made that possible. I cried when the doctor delivered the news and told him he would never be able to work again."

"Silicosis has rapidly become a public health crisis among stone fabrication workers cutting engineered stone. In California alone, the disease has killed 29 people and sickened hundreds more in just the past few years, but, until now, little has been done to rein it in."

"California passed the first law in the nation, which took effect Jan. 1, aimed at protecting workers from the deadly illness and has begun taking incremental steps to prevent workers like Oscar from contracting silicosis. But many doctors and public health officials said they believe stricter industry regulations are not enough to stop the growing epidemic."

Engineered stone fabrication workers in California face a rapidly growing silicosis crisis. Oscar, a stone countertop worker in the San Fernando Valley, worked nearly seven days weekly for over 15 years before developing severe respiratory problems at age 45. Diagnosed with silicosis in 2022, he can no longer work. Silicosis is a progressive, incurable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. In California alone, the disease has killed 29 people and sickened hundreds in recent years. California enacted the nation's first law addressing this crisis, effective January 1, implementing incremental protective measures. However, medical professionals and public health officials contend that stricter industry regulations remain insufficient to halt the growing epidemic.

Read at Metro Silicon Valley | Silicon Valley's Leading Weekly