Working with engineered stone countertops carries substantial health risks, according to a study highlighted in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The research draws attention to silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in silica crystals that are released when fabricators cut, grind, or polish the material.
Engineered stone is popular for countertops, but the fabrication process produces fine dust that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The study points to a pattern of disease among workers in the industry, underscoring the need for stronger protective measures in shops that handle the material.
The findings add to growing concern about occupational exposure with engineered stone, which is denser in silica than many natural stones. For workers, the hazard is real, but it is also preventable with proper respiratory protection and dust control methods.