Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, warn that a new type of quartz countertop that releases more silica dust when it is cut is behind the surge.
They also found that in 48 percent of cases, patients had ‘atypical’ features in their lungs — or shifts that would not normally be seen in scans.
All were male, Hispanic, aged around 43 years and were exposed to silica dust for an average of 18 years.
Inspections shows that more than half of workplaces in California that cut quartz exceed the maximum permissible limit for silica dust in the air.
More than 2million workers in the construction industry in the US are estimated to be exposed to silica dust every year.
A “new and emerging” epidemic that is being fueled by fashionable and long-lasting quartz countertops is being warned about by doctors.
Workers who breathe in the dust released during stone cutting cause irreversible lung damage, which leaves patients suffering from coughing and shortness of breath.
Known as “black lung” or silicosis, it is essentially a death sentence unless the patient receives a lung transplant, which only prolongs their life by a few years.
According to scientists in California, the condition was thought to be declining, with fewer than five cases reported annually. However, since 2019, at least 70 cases have been reported.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles caution that the surge is caused by a new kind of quartz countertop that releases more silica dust when it is cut. Additionally, they caution that physicians are not properly diagnosing the illness.
The researchers discovered in their study that up to four out of five cases of silicosis were overlooked during the initial examination, with patients more likely to be diagnosed with a lung infection. This postponed vital and possibly life-saving medical care.
Additionally, they discovered that in 48 percent of cases, patients had “atypical” lung features, or changes that are not typically visible on scans.
“This is a new and emerging epidemic, and we must increase awareness of this disease process so we can avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment for our patients,” stated Dr. Sundus Lateef, a radiologist who led the analysis. “.”.
Presented at the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, the study looked at the lung function tests and CT scans of 55 employees who had been diagnosed with the illness.
Each was a 43-year-old male Hispanic who had been exposed to silica dust for an average of 18 years.
The majority of them lived in an urban area outside of Los Angeles and were symptomatic, with the majority experiencing coughing and/or shortness of breath.
Researchers discovered that only four cases, or 19 percent, of the 21 patients in their initial analysis received the proper diagnosis from primary care physicians.
Only seven patients, or 33 percent, received the proper diagnosis on the radiologists’ first visit, they discovered.
The majority of the time, the researchers discovered that patients were given different diagnoses, like an infection.
The doctors cautioned that a new countertop type known as engineered quartz, which is created by joining quartz shards with a resin, was the cause of an increase in cases. Usually, it has a lot more silicon.
Inspections reveal that the maximum allowable limit for silica dust in the air is exceeded in over half of California workplaces that cut quartz.
By donning face masks or utilizing a cutting machine that simultaneously sprays water onto the stone, workers can lessen their exposure and stop silica dust from flying into the air.
However, scholars note that a large number of these industries’ employees are Hispanic and immigrant, making them susceptible to exploitation.
“There is a critical lack of exposure and screening for workers in the engineered stone manufacturing industry,” Dr. Lateef added.
Early screening and advocacy are necessary for this vulnerable group, which in our case consisted of Spanish-speaking immigrant workers. “…
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It is estimated that over 2 million US construction workers are exposed to silica dust annually.
Scientists claim that it is dangerous because of the microscopic particles that can fly into the air and cause lung scarring in workers.
The American Lung Association states that after working with the stone for 10 to 30 years, employees may develop lung nodules, which lower lung capacity and make breathing more difficult.
As a result of severe scarring, the lungs, which normally move with every breath, can become stiff, making breathing difficult. This condition is known as Progressive Massic Fibrosis (PMF).
They also caution that patients might require oxygen and other breathing aids in the future.
Doctors claim that there is no cure for the illness, which also increases the chance of developing other illnesses like chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and tuberculosis.
In a study last year on 52 cases of silicosis, physicians discovered that 10 patients (20 percent) had passed away and that 11 patients had been referred for lung transplants, three of whom were successful.
