Health officials confirmed Massachusetts’ first case of silicosis in a man who worked for a stone countertop fabrication and installation company for 14 years
NEED TO KNOW
- The Massachusetts Department of Health confirmed the state’s first case of silicosis, an incurable and life-threatening lung disease
- The patient is a man in his 40s who has exposure from 14 years of working for a stone countertop fabrication and installation company
- Health officials issued a safety alert and warned that this suggests that additional, unconfirmed cases could exist
Health officials are issuing a warning after Massachusetts confirms the state’s first case of an incurable and life-threatening lung disease.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) confirmed that a man in his 40s was diagnosed with silicosis associated with occupational exposure. The patient spent the past 14 years working for a stone countertop fabrication and installation company in the state.
Following the reported case, the department issued a safety alert urging employers in the stone countertop fabrication industry to protect workers from silica dust exposure…