Quartz countertops and silicosis

[rrrr]

The fabrication and cutting of quartz countertops has resulted in workers contracting silicosis, with some fatal results.

Fancy quartz countertops are killing people who make them, doctors say

“Every day I hope that the phone rings telling me to come to the hospital to get my new lungs,” said one 27-year-old former countertop maker.

nypost.com

 

[SoCalDave]

The fabrication and cutting of quartz countertops has resulted in workers contracting silicosis, with some fatal results.

Fancy quartz countertops are killing people who make them, doctors say

“Every day I hope that the phone rings telling me to come to the hospital to get my new lungs,” said one 27-year-old former countertop maker.

nypost.com

I could totally see that happening with most any stones. I've seen installers go out front and cut shit dry inhaling anything airborne.
Hell I went to Stanton Transfer Station last Friday and half the workers in there had no mask on. Shit was thick in the air...

 

[monkeyswrench]

About 15 years ago I was doing all the cuts for my patio stone. I was quite proud of how it turned out. That night I thought I was dying. Learned that concrete dust was nasty stuff. Had cut a million roof tiles, but never had a issue. Wind, placement or maybe just not the same repetition. I where a mask now when doing that stuff.

 

[rrrr]

I wear a mask now when doing that stuff.

From the information I've gathered, including that found in the link, the engineered stone "quartz" has many more and much smaller particles than natural stone. The standard construction dust mask is not effective in preventing the inhalation of the silica when cutting. It appears a respirator is required for adequate protection.

 

[HNL2LHC]

About 15 years ago I was doing all the cuts for my patio stone. I was quite proud of how it turned out. That night I thought I was dying. Learned that concrete dust was nasty stuff. Had cut a million roof tiles, but never had a issue. Wind, placement or maybe just not the same repetition. I where a mask now when doing that stuff.

My friend who is a fireman advised me of the issue a couple of years ago. I bought a whole face respirator the next time I messed with cutting concrete.

 

[530RL]

It is just ground quartz sand, resin, styrene and pigment. Breathing any of that is not going to be healthy unless proper work methods are used.

Same goes for natural stone.

 

[coolchange]

Silica will fuck you up.

 

[River Dirt 2]

L.A. County Ponders Quartz-Surface Ban – Stone Update

stoneupdate.com

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Jesus... Between my gas stove, the refrigerant in my refrigerator and my quartz counter tops, my kitchen is doing its damnedest to kill me it seems.

 

[TimeBandit]

You don't need no stinking maskes

just hold your breath

(pre fab granite, not quartz)

 

[johnnyC]

my grandfather died from it in 1952, he carved headstones when he first came to the us in vermont in the early 1900's , I've seen a lot of people cut and polish dry, i taught myself to fab granite because it was a challange and seemed mysterious to me always cut and formed the slabs wet. you get a better cut when wet, a lot of fabricators wont say how dangerous the dust is, they will supply masks but dont enforce the use and the uninformed neglect to wear them people who sand blast for a living can have the same problem

 

[530RL]

L.A. County Ponders Quartz-Surface Ban – Stone Update

stoneupdate.com

Developing an engineered product with a silica content less than natural stone has already been done. It has been in the works for several years.

Inspiration for your kitchen, bathroom and home renovation project | Smartstone

We share outstanding projects featuring functional and impeccable designs so you can find inspiration for your own.

www.smartstone.com.au

 

[wallnutz]

Just think about the slave laborers in China and Vietnam that produce this stuff. You think they are provided mask or other protection?

 

[Waterjunky]

Just think about the slave laborers in China and Vietnam that produce this stuff. You think they are provided mask or other protection?

Ahhh, they are disposable. Just ask their government.

 

[ka0tyk]

I cut my quartz countertops and lived. Thank god.

 

[ChumpChange]

Jesus... Between my gas stove, the refrigerant in my refrigerator and my quartz counter tops, my kitchen is doing its damnedest to kill me it seems.

Let’s not forget your wife’s cooking!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I could totally see that happening with most any stones. I've seen installers go out front and cut shit dry inhaling anything airborne.
Hell I went to Stanton Transfer Station last Friday and half the workers in there had no mask on. Shit was thick in the air...

Back in HI, pretty much all of it is either fabbed in Chinese run fab shops around mapunapuna/kalihi/iwelei. The dust can be thick rolling out of those shops.... OSHA? Who the F is osha...safety is non existent in a lot of those spots... The rest of the time its the installers fabricating from "semi" fabbed slabs on site with worm drive circular saws with stone blades for straight cuts, and the mini cutters for sinks etc....You are LUCKY if you see the guys doing it where a dust mask...let alone any other PPE. It was kinda crazy, and im sure just being around it I've inhaled more than I'd care to know.

 

[HTTP404]

Just think about the slave laborers in China and Vietnam that produce this stuff. You think they are provided mask or other protection?

Ask @530RL

 

[DRYHEAT]

I coated my lungs with asbestos before I went to work in the cement plant so I should be good. Maybe the carburetor cleaner and diesel fuel fumes cleaned them out.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Jesus... Between my gas stove, the refrigerant in my refrigerator and my quartz counter tops, my kitchen is doing its damnedest to kill me it seems.

That is why I have my sammich maker and dishwasher. So I don’t have to do the dirty work…