Brayton Purcell LLP Highlights Bloomberg Businessweek Investigation into America's Growing Artificial Stone Silicosis Crisis

Brayton Purcell LLP is drawing attention to a major Bloomberg Businessweek investigation examining the growing artificial stone silicosis epidemic affecting countertop fabrication workers across the United States.

The article, "Death Sentences: Crafting America's Favorite Countertops Is Killing Workers," documents the experiences of workers who developed fatal accelerated artificial stone silicosis after fabricating artificial stone countertops.

The report explores the expanding litigation involving artificial stone manufacturers, distributors, and other participants in the artificial stone supply chain, while examining scientific research, product warnings, and questions of accountability.

According to the report, artificial stone has become one of the most popular countertop materials in North America.

At the same time, physicians, researchers, workers, and families have become increasingly concerned about the devastating fatal health consequences associated with fabricating it.

Artificial stone contains at least 90% nano-sized high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica and approximately 10% other highly toxic ingredients, including resins, glues, dyes and heavy metals.

Among the workers featured in Bloomberg's reporting is Brayton Purcel LLP client Tyler Jordan, a former countertop fabricator who developed artificial stone silicosis and kidney failure.

Bloomberg reported that Jordan underwent dialysis, chemotherapy, a kidney transplant, and numerous other medical procedures after working with artificial stone products.

Reflecting on the impact of his illness, Jordan told Bloomberg: "Right now, it's just focusing on my kids. I can do frisbee with them, but I stand in one spot, and if they miss me, then they have to go get the frisbee."

The report also highlights the perspective of pulmonologist Jane Fazio, who has treated workers diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis.

Bloomberg reported that Dr. Fazio described the severity of the disease by stating: "My patients with silicosis, I wish they only had lung cancer. Lung cancer can be cut out."

"The Bloomberg Businessweek investigation brings important national attention to an issue affecting workers and families throughout the country," said James Nevin , partner at Brayton Purcell LLP.

The article also discusses litigation involving numerous defendants, including Cambria, Caesarstone, Cosentino, Daltile, Arizona Tile, Architectural Surfaces Group, Surface Warehouse, Paragon Industries, Hyundai L&C, various distributors, and other participants in the artificial stone supply chain.

The report notes that litigation involving artificial stone silicosis continues to expand as more countertop fabrication workers undergo medical evaluations and receive diagnoses of artificial stone silicosis associated with exposure to artificial stone dust.

The investigation further discusses findings from researchers and public health agencies around the world, including the position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which has stated that "the safest approach" is to use slabs containing little or no crystalline silica.

The report also examines international and domestic regulatory responses to the crisis.

According to Bloomberg, Australia implemented a nationwide ban on artificial stone fabrication in 2024 following a review of mounting scientific evidence.

The article also notes that California regulators are taking the necessary steps to ban the fabrication of crystalline silica a...