Millions of workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous silica dust in places where quartz is cut, drilled or polished, according to the Natural Stone Institute.

“Protecting the health and safety of these employees is the responsibility of their employers and regulators, and it's our responsibility, too,” said Sandya Dandamudi, president of GI Stone, a Chicago-based supplier, fabricator and installer of ​​interior and exterior stone cladding, floors, countertops, furniture and custom projects.

Some states, such as California, have taken steps to protect people who work with quartz countertops from the risks of exposure to silica dust, which is naturally present in quartz and causes severe lung damage. People who develop silicosis have difficulty breathing and might even die without lung transplants.

But new guidelines do not absolve the users of quartz products of all responsibility.

“If you are an interior designer, architect, developer or building owner, it is critical that you ensure that the stone you are buying is ethically sourced and ethically handled,” Dandamudi said. “Unfortunately, there are many stone companies that are not following best practices and that puts the health of their workers at risk.”

What Are Silica And Silicosis?

Silica is a naturally occurring element found in nature and in many household products. It is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and most other types of rocks. It becomes dangerous when industrial methods like cutting are used, turning it into microscopic dust particles that become airborne.

“The particles travel deep into the lungs where they get lodged and cause inflammation,” NSI said. “Lung inflammation can ultimately lead to scarring.”

The disease was first described thousands of years ago and has been known as an occupational health risk for workers in mining, quarrying, stone cutting, stone grinding and other occupations.

The invention of engineered stone with silica content as high as 90%, which is significantly higher than marble or granite, as well as the introduction of mechanical cutting and polishing methods, have resulted in much more potential for silica dust exposure than in pre-industrial times.

Fortunately, with the proper precautions, it is possible to protect people from this increasingly common but debilitating disease.

“This disease is preventable,” Dandamudi said. “When sourcing quartz, what’s important is for purchasers to dig a little deeper and ask how it was sourced and fabricated, and by whom. Since there is no cure, making the effort to prevent it is especially critical.”

One of the keys to preventing it is to run a clean shop, Dandamudi said. This includes the use of water throughout the cutting and polishing process and avoiding actions that create airborne dust, such as dry sweeping or using compressed air for cleanup of work surfaces, clothes and even human skin.

Preventive measures are outlined in detail by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and include using HEPA-filtered vacuums for cleaning worker clothes and water for cleaning their hands, face and hair in high-exposure areas.

Cutting, grinding, polishing and milling machines can be modified to create distance from the site of impact and a worker’s face, Dandamudi said. When used in combination with water and dust shrouds, these measures can greatly reduce the threat of exposure.

Of course, the remedies only work if they are put in place. And while masks or individual respirators can also protect workers from the harmful airborne particles, they are a last line of defense, NSI and Dandamudi said.

Like with other occupational risks, it is critical for employers to create written plans and educate and train workers on the risks of silica exposure and how to prevent it.

It is also critical for the government to enforce compliance, Dandamudi said.

“We’ve gone as far as to request an OSHA inspection,” she added. “We welcome regulators’ input to help us improve. But we won’t stand idle until then — we are always looking for ways to make our workplace safer.”

What Steps Can You Take?

Dandamudi said the key to ethically sourcing quartz isn’t about its country of origin but more of a factor of how a company operates and the kind of quartz it processes.

“While GI Stone is not a large company, it’s important for us that we are ethically sourcing our materials,” she said.

Dandamudi said GI Stone insists on having direct communications with stone producers. This includes factory visits to see the working conditions and asking questions directly about procedures.

“For most of our commercial projects, we don’t buy from distributors,” Dandamudi said. “We purchase directly from factories. It allows for us to have better control over the supply chain.”

GI Stone, whose portfolio of projects includes the Obama Presidential Center under construction on Chicago’s South Side, takes great pride in its work and its health and safety record, Dandamudi said.

“We care about our employees and we welcome anyone to tour our facilities,” she said.

Moreover, GI Stone sources and has advocated for its clients to switch to low-silica quartz, a relatively new product made possible by technological innovation and spearheaded by industry leaders like Spain-based Cosentino, which offers quartz containing 10% silica content.

“It’s revolutionary,” Dandamudi said of this product.

In all cases, Dandamudi said specifiers of quartz products should ask questions to ensure their suppliers are operating ethically to prevent workers’ exposure to silica dust.

This article was produced in collaboration between GI Stone and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.