Forwarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
| CDPH Health Advisory:
Silicosis Cases in Countertop Workers Continue to Rise, as Silicosis Becomes a Reportable Disease in California
November 18, 2025
|
|
|
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a health advisory on the rising number of silicosis cases among countertop workers and mandatory reporting requirements for suspected or confirmed cases.
Since 2019, CDPH’s statewide surveillance has identified 432 confirmed cases of silicosis associated with engineered stone, including 226 cases in Los Angeles County, and there have been at least 25 deaths and 48 lung transplants. Cases are occurring in relatively young workers, with a median age at diagnosis of 46 years and a median age at death of 48 years.
Healthcare providers should take an occupational history to identify countertop workers and evaluate them for silicosis, including those without symptoms, and share educational resources about workplace safety with all at-risk patients. The CDPH Silica Safety for Countertop Workers webpage has information for workers, and the DPH Silicosis in Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers webpage has resources for both workers and employers.
|
Report suspected or confirmed cases to Public Health within 7 days of identification.
Los Angeles County:
Fax a CMR to 888-397-3778 or 213-482-5508 or send via secure email to RPU@ph.lacounty.gov, or
Call 888-397-3993 weekdays 8:00 am–4:30 pm.
For residents of Long Beach, Pasadena, or other jurisdictions outside LA County, visit “Where and how to report”.
|
You can also copy and paste this link into your browser https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/CAHAN/Silicosis-Becomes-a-Reportable-Disease-in-California-.aspx
|
To view this and other communications or to sign-up to receive LAHANs, please visit ph.lacounty.gov/lahan.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
241 N. Figueroa St. Suite 275 | Los Angeles, CA 90012 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
| | |
|
|
