Overview
- The new state analysis reports 631 silicosis cases linked to engineered quartz, including 31 deaths and 65 people who have had lung transplants.
- Researchers say cases have risen sharply in recent years with 151 diagnoses so far this year and about 40 reported in the past month alone.
- California regulators found 94% of recently inspected fabrication shops violated the emergency 2023 silica standards used to limit dust exposure.
- California OSHA voted in May to move toward halting work with engineered stone and the study’s authors said they support that step.
- Engineered quartz contains high crystalline silica that scars the lungs, the illness can take years to appear, and experts warn official counts likely miss many sick workers which could push unsafe work into less regulated settings.