AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 933( I-26)
Introduced by: Subject: Referred to:
American Thoracic Society Preventing Silicosis Associated with Engineered Stone Countertops Reference Committee K
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Whereas, engineered stone has become the most popular countertop material in the United States; and
Whereas, engineered stone countertops can contain very high levels of crystalline silica, often exceeding 90 %, and the cutting, shaping, sanding, grinding, and polishing of high-silica-content engineered stone can release high levels of respirable crystalline silica; and
Whereas, globally, there has been a documented increase in silicosis among countertop fabricators associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica from high-silica-content engineered stone; and
Whereas, the State of California has documented a significant increase in silicosis among countertop fabricators associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica while working with high-silica-content engineered stone; and
Whereas, even with the use of established engineering controls, such as wet methods, ventilation, and respiratory protection, hazardous exposures to respirable crystalline silica from high-silica-content engineered stone may persist; and
Whereas, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica of 50 µ g / m ³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average and an action level of 25 µ g / m ³, yet hazardous exposures and cases of silicosis continue to be documented among countertop fabrication workers; and
Whereas, the American Thoracic Society workshop report, Silicosis in the Artificial Stone Countertop Industry, calls for higher-order prevention strategies, including the elimination or substitution of high-silica artificial stone; and
Whereas, commercially available countertop products containing less than 1 % crystalline silica are available in the United States; and
Whereas, in response to high rates of silicosis among countertop fabrication workers, Australia implemented a prohibition in 2024 on the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs containing at least 1 % crystalline silica; and
Whereas, in response to the documented increase in silicosis among countertop fabrication workers, California is pursuing emergency rulemaking to prohibit the fabrication of engineered stone countertops and similar products containing more than 1 % crystalline silica; therefore be it