30 stone fabricators have been diagnosed with Silicosis since January 2016 in LA.
Making a living cutting and grinding engineered-stone countertops lead to Juan Gozalez Morin and Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, ages 36 and 32, being diagnosed with Silicosis.
The pair were among 30 countertop fabricators to be diagnosed with the deadly disease. It is what seems to be the largest cluster of the disease in the United States. All the victims are relatively young Latino men who worked long hours under harsh conditions.
The synthetic slabs that have become so popular with consumers are cheaper and more durable than natural stone.
The cutting of the slabs releases tiny crystalline silica particles into the air, which, if inhaled, can increase the risk of developing a serious a serious silica-related disease. Particles can travel to the lungs, which can cause hardening and scarring of the lung tissue. Lung tissues that are scarred in this way don’t fully function properly.
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust, I.e. sand, stone, concrete and mortar.
Gonzalez was initially misdiagnosed with Pneumonia. After his medication stopped working, and ending up in the emergency room, further tests were carried out which led to the true nature of his illness. Gonzalez said, “the dust never, ever stopped coming”. Gonzalez wore disposable paper masks and his employer had fans in the shop but according to Gonzalez, they were not really fit for purpose.
Like Gonzalez, Reyes was told he had pneumonia, before further tests revealed he had Silicosis. Reyes has been told, only a lung transplant can save him.
What is Silicosis?
Silicosis is an incurable, and deadly, dust-related illness. It is lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust. Silica is a substance naturally found in certain type of stone, rock, sand and clay.
It is considered the oldest known occupational lung disease relating to the following industries:
- Stone masonry and stone cutting, especially with sandstone
- Construction and demolition
- Worktop manufacturing and fitting
- Pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing
- Mining and quarrying
- Sand blasting
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms can usually take many years to develop, which usually means you have stopped working with silica dust by the time you notice your symptoms. Symptoms can get worse even if you are no longer exposed. The main symptoms of silicosis are:
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness and tiredness
Sources:
https://laist.com/health/news/ancient-lung-disease-strikes-countertop-cutters-in-la
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/
Further reading
Respiratory disease claims – Oakwood Solicitors
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Rabina Khaleeq is a Paralegal in the Industrial Disease Department. Before joining the firm, Rabina worked at Direct Line Group for 8 years as a Claims Handler predominantly dealing with Road Traffic …
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