Notes from the field: silicosis in a countertop fabricator - Texas, 2014

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015 Feb 13;64(5):129-30.

Abstract

In May 2014, the Texas Department of State Health Services was notified of a case of silicosis with progressive massive fibrosis in a Hispanic male aged 37 years who worked for an engineered stone countertop company as a polisher, laminator, and fabricator. He was exposed to dust for 10 years from working with conglomerate or quartz surfacing materials containing 70%-90% crystalline silica. This is the first reported case of silicosis associated with exposure to quartz surfacing materials in North America.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dust
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Manufacturing Industry*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Quartz / toxicity*
  • Silicosis / diagnosis*
  • Silicosis / pathology
  • Texas

Substances

  • Dust
  • Quartz