Workers in California: How to Prevent Deadly Silicosis Among Latinos

California faces a silent health crisis among workers in a specific sector. Between 2019 and 2022, the state recorded just 47 cases of silicosis in this field.

From 2023 through August 2026, that figure escalated dramatically to 571 diagnoses. Official data were cited by the Los Angeles Times based on state records.

The spike was documented in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The authors point to a labor crisis linked to the processing of synthetic surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms.

What is silicosis and who is at risk

Silicosis occurs when microscopic particles of silica enter the lungs. These particles permanently damage the respiratory tissue of those who inhale them.

Exposure is directly linked to cutting, sanding, and polishing artificial stone. This material, known as engineered stone, is widely used in residential renovations.

The same study identified 32 deaths since 2019 related to this activity. There were also 72 lung transplants and 51 additional referrals for transplant evaluation.

A disease that progresses faster

Cases detected in this sector show more severe progression than other jobs involving silica. The median age of diagnosis is just 46 years.

The median age of death, according to the report, is 52 years. This represents early life loss for many workers in the sector.

David Michaels, professor of environmental health at George Washington University and co-author of the study, was emphatic on this point. He warned that this material cannot be manufactured safely and economically.

Michaels also warned about the medical burden this activity leaves on affected communities. He noted it is causing early deaths and severe disabilities among workers.

The disproportionate impact on the Latino community

The report revealed an alarming finding: approximately 98% of cases involve Latino men. This figure highlights the disproportionate impact of the disease on this specific community.

Roughly half of the diagnoses were concentrated in Los Angeles County. The San Fernando Valley has a large concentration of workshops engaged in this activity.

The patients analyzed reported between 16 and 25 years of exposure to silica dust. This data helps quantify the accumulated risk in an industry that grew rapidly.

How to protect yourself if you work in this sector

If you work cutting or polishing artificial stone, it is essential to wear certified respirators at all times. This equipment significantly reduces the inhalation of dangerous silica particles.

Demand that your employer use dust suppression systems with water during surface cutting. These measures are now required by law to protect workers in the sector.

Have periodic lung medical checkups, especially if you have worked in this field for years. Early detection can make an important difference in disease prognosis.

Legislative advances to protect workers

The first known case in California was identified in 2019, according to the Los Angeles Times. However, public awareness of the problem gained momentum only between 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, a bill to strengthen safety protocols was temporarily stalled. A year later, law SB 20 expanded the functions of the Department of Public Health.

This regulation made silicosis a mandated reportable condition within the state. Since then, employers must provide appropriate protective equipment to their workers.

Workshops under scrutiny by authorities

Despite these advances, medical entities demand even stricter measures. The Western Occupational & Environmental Medical Association submitted a formal petition to Cal/OSHA in December.

The organization revealed that 94% of inspected workshops received some type of citation. Additionally, 20% faced immediate closure orders for serious violations.

The 140 inspections conducted covered only 10% of the estimated 1,342 operations in California. This suggests that most workshops operate without adequate supervision.

What’s ahead for this industry

In late May, the Cal/OSHA board approved initiating an emergency standard. This proposal seeks to completely ban work with these materials under certain conditions.

The measure must still undergo technical review and consultations with the affected sector. Final approval will be necessary before the standard takes effect.

For Latino workers in the sector, knowing their rights is essential given this landscape. Demanding safe working conditions can prevent irreversible consequences for lung health.