From Fox News: Massachusetts health officials announced Tuesday that the state has confirmed its first case of an incurable lung disease linked to exposure to certain countertop stones.
The disease is particularly associated with quartz, which has become increasingly popular in recent years for its practicality and aesthetic, according to health officials.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said a 40-year-old man, who has worked in the stone countertop industry for 14 years, was recently diagnosed with silicosis, a condition that can cause death.
“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat. It is here, and it is seriously impacting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” Emily H. Sparer-Fine, a director at DPH, said in a statement.
A press release by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health includes the following details about the serious but little-known issue:
Silicosis is a preventable, yet incurable and progressive lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica, which is found naturally in granite and other stones. The state’s first confirmed case associated with occupational exposure in this industry was recently diagnosed in a Hispanic man in his 40s who, for the past 14 years, worked for stone countertop fabrication and installation companies in Massachusetts.
Processes like cutting, polishing, or grinding stone can generate silica dust, which can cause silicosis if breathed into the lungs. Historically, silicosis was associated with mining and construction, but in recent years, the disease has become more prevalent among stone fabrication workers due to the rise in popularity of countertops made from engineered stone (also known as quartz or artificial stone), which contains significantly more silica than other types of stone – over 90 percent compared to less than 45 percent in granite.
There is a long latency period between silica exposure and the development of silicosis. Silicosis is an often disabling and sometimes fatal disease that is characterized by scarring of the lungs. Early symptoms include an irritating cough, mucus, and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty breathing and can experience fatigue, chest pain, leg swelling, and blueish lips. Silicosis increases the risk for other lung diseases, such as lung cancer and tuberculosis.
Most engineered stone workers with silicosis in the U.S. were exposed to silica at their jobs for over ten years, although some were exposed for less time. There is no cure for silicosis, but exposure to silica dust can be minimized through proper workplace controls.
Massachusetts Public Health Officials Issue Safety Alert to Employers After State’s First Confirmed Silicosis Case in Stone Countertop Industry https://t.co/h7eCaGUFLV pic.twitter.com/wsMZrFnQ37
— Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) December 9, 2025
1st case of incurable lung disease silicosis confirmed in Mass., DPH says https://t.co/UUvsilupZL pic.twitter.com/oGMRGt52Lm
— Stone Update (@StoneUpdate) December 10, 2025
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