Engineered Stone Products and Fabricators at Risk of Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica

This past September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) about engineered stone fabricators and cases of silicosis. It discussed 18 workers that developed silicosis, including two fatalities, caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) states that silicosis is a disease of the lungs caused by inhaling dust containing crystalline silica particles. This dust can cause fibrosis or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lung’s ability to work to extract oxygen from the air.

The MMWR article highlights the potential dangers of working with engineered stone products which can contain more than 90% silica. This is a far higher percentage than other traditional stone countertops, such as granite, which typically has about half as much silica, and marble, which has even less.

“It’s not just engineered and traditional stone fabricators that are at risk of developing silicosis, OSHA recently estimated that approximately 2.3 million people in the United States are exposed to silica at work,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why the agency published a new final rule last year to protect workers from crystalline silica exposure risks. There is no cure for this disease, so prevention is the only answer.”

The industrial hygiene and air testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. support these efforts. Their laboratories, located across North America, provide testing for crystalline silica and other respirable hazards. EMSL also offers all of the sampling supplies needed to collect and submit samples. The company even stocks air monitoring instruments, respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, air quality, health and safety testing services and products, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 8563032503

Contact via E-mail