The emerging industry of artificial stone processing poses significant health hazards to its workers. Exposure to silica dust in the workplace can lead to silicosis, a serious lung disease. Cases have been reported at several hospitals in Taiwan, including the National Taiwan University Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Patients have developed the disease shortly after being exposed to dust, leading to rapid lung damage. This has garnered attention from the medical and academic communities. To address the health hazards faced by workers in the artificial stone industry, OSHA of the Ministry of Labor, COAPRE, and the Taiwan Environmental and Occupational Medicine Association are joining forces with specialized hospitals across the country to conduct a thorough investigation into the risks associated with exposure in this industry. Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, one of the participating institutions, has analyzed recent cases of silicosis in Taiwan and confirmed 2 significant trends: patients are generally younger, and the disease progresses rapidly. This underscores the substantial health risks faced by workers in this industry if appropriate protective measures are not implemented. It is crucial for workers to consistently wear protective equipment while carrying out their tasks to prevent any potential health hazards.

It has been reported by Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital that, from 2019 to late August 2023, Taiwan has documented at least 6 cases of silicosis associated with the artificial stone industry. The average age of diagnosis for these cases is 35.8 years, far lower than the average age of diagnosis for silicosis patients across various occupations in Taiwan from 1995 to 2021, which was 66.1 years old according to statistics from the Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety And Health, Ministry of Labor. Additionally, these 6 cases had an average exposure duration to artificial stone operations of 6.7 years, with workers developing the disease in less than a decade of exposure, and the shortest duration being only 4.5 years, suggesting an accelerated disease progression. During the analysis period, 4 out of 6 cases resulted in severe pulmonary dysfunction, leading to 3 individuals undergoing lung transplantation. Unfortunately, 2 of the 6 individuals have passed away. Upon further investigation into the protective measures of these workers, it was found that all 6 cases rarely used masks or other protective equipment. Most employers only provided basic surgical masks, but the factory where 3 of the workers worked switched to N95 masks or half-face respirators with filter cartridges 2 years prior to their diagnoses.

 

Dr. Hong-Wen Liu, Director of the Occupational Medicine Department at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, mentioned that initial analysis shows a concerning trend of younger silicosis patients with poor prognoses in the artificial stone industry. If young workers become disabled or die due to silicosis, it would lead to significant losses for their families, the labor market, and society in general.

Artificial stone is an emerging building material that has seen a continuous increase in market share in recent years, particularly in the manufacture of kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Workers who cut artificial stone slabs are consistently exposed to silica dust in their work environment. Without proper protection, inhaling the dust can lead to silicosis, an irreversible lung disease characterized by fibrosis. This year, OSHA of the Ministry of Labor, along with COAPRE and the Taiwan Environmental and Occupational Medicine Association, are collaborating with specialized occupational injury and disease treatment and diagnosis hospitals across the country to conduct a national survey focusing on exposure hazards and health risks in the artificial stone industry. The primary goal of this project is to identify similar exposure groups within the artificial stone industry and to carry out health assessments and follow-up evaluations.
 

To prevent workplace hazards in the artificial stone industry, COAPRE recommends focusing on three key parties: business units and employers, workers, and medical personnel. First of all, business units and employers involved in the production, reproduction, and use of artificial stone should assess and improve their process engineering. This can be realized by implementing measures such as enclosing and automating artificial stone production lines, utilizing wet operations and local exhaust ventilation at dust generation sites, as well as regularly monitoring the environment to ensure that dust concentrations do not exceed acceptable standards. Moreover, the employer should provide workers with adequate respiratory protective equipment as well as education and training on how to wear the said equipment. Frontline physicians and occupational health service personnel should stay updated on the latest information about silicosis. When conducting medical assessments, it is important to consider arranging for CT scans and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco) tests to aid in early diagnosis and management.

Several occupational injury and disease treatment and diagnosis hospitals nationwide appeal to workers in the artificial stone industry to wear protective equipment at work and undergo regular specialized health check-ups for dust exposure. If workers experience lung disease symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, coughing, wheezing, or phlegm, and suspect they are work-related, they should seek medical assistance from their nearest specialized occupational injury and disease treatment and diagnosis hospital. For relevant inquiries, please contact the hotline of the center's occupational injury and disease service department.