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31 Deaths Reported in Kitchen Countertop Scandal
The Daily Beast • • general
Key Points:
- Nearly 600 workers in quartz countertop manufacturing have fallen ill with silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, with over 30 reported deaths.
- A California Department of Public Health report reveals a sharp increase in silicosis cases from 2019 to 2026, documenting 592 cases among quartz fabrication workers, including 65 lung transplants.
- Quartz, favored for its durability, contains over 90% silica, posing significant health risks to workers exposed to its dust.
- Health experts urge healthcare providers and public health officials to identify and address silicosis cases to prevent further illness and fatalities.
- Concerns remain that many silicosis cases may be undiagnosed, suggesting the true extent of the epidemic could be higher.
