People love quartz countertops. They are durable, beautiful, and require much less maintenance than other high-end options. But there are dangers for those who make these beautiful pieces. The cutting and fabrication process puts untold amounts of quartz dust into the air, containing high amounts of silica. This silica can be devastating and deadly when inhaled by workers constantly around it.
At Edward O. Moody, P.A., our Arkansas personal injury attorneys understand the risks and dangers of quartz countertop dust. If you were exposed, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries you suffered. Speak with us about a consultation of your case so we can help.
What Is Crystalline Silica? Why Is It Dangerous To My Health?
Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in stone, sand, and concrete. This is also true of the stone we’re discussing here, quartz. When quartz countertops are cut or polished, microscopic silica particles are released into the air. These particles can enter into your lungs and cause significant damage. They cause serious scarring and severe inflammation.
One of the most common and serious health risks is silicosis. This is an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease. Silicosis can develop after prolonged exposure, but recent studies show that even short-term exposure to high concentrations of quartz dust can lead to aggressive forms of the disease. If you are dealing with this kind of effect from your exposure, an experienced personal injury attorney can help.
Health Risks Linked to Quartz Dust Exposure
Workers that are exposed to quartz dust often face severe diseases, including:
- Silicosis: A progressive lung disease that causes shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. In advanced cases, it can lead to respiratory failure.
- Lung Cancer: Silica dust is known to cause lung cancer, and is considered carcinogenic.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Silica dust exposure, especially over the long term, can cause airway obstruction and breathing difficulties.
- Kidney Disease: Some studies suggest a link between silica exposure and kidney damage.
Why Are Quartz Countertops So Dangerous to Manufacture?
Engineered quart contains much more silica than natural stones like marble or granite. In fact, quartz slabs contain 90% or more silica, compared to granite at around 20-30% silica. Fabricators are exposed to these higher levels and suffer more serious injuries as a result.
The other reason is simply quartz’s popularity. Quartz is the preferred luxury countertop materials for many homes and businesses. This means more is being cut, more silica dust is in the air, and more workers are exposed to this danger. Unfortunately, many workers are forced to cut quartz in unsafe and poorly ventilated environments, further increasing the risks.
OSHA Standards and Safety Requirements
OSHA has tried to protect workers. It created the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for crystalline silica. This is the amount of silica a person should “safely” be exposed to. OSHA permits exposure of up to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, calculated over an eight hour shift.
To help limit a worker’s exposure to the dust, they are required to:
- Utilize engineering controls (e.g., wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation)
- Provide respiratory protection when necessary
- Train workers on the dangers of silica dust
- Monitor air quality
- Control exposure levels
Too many businesses fail to live up to these standards, or ignore them in the name of profit. Your employer could be liable for your injuries when that is the case.
Get Help After Quartz Countertop Dust Exposure in Arkansas
The dust from quartz countertops is not just annoying or a nuisance. It is deadly dangerous to your health. If you work with quartz countertops and have suffered silicosis or other injuries, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation due to your exposure.
Let the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Edward O. Moody, P.A. review your case. Contact us today for a consultation.