Brayton Purcell LLP Welcomes Federal Bill Addressing Artificial Stone Silicosis Epidemic

Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act would expand screening, treatment, education, and patient care as California artificial stone fabrication workers face a growing number of cases

Brayton Purcell LLP welcomes new federal legislation that would expand medical care and resources for workers affected by artificial stone silicosis, a preventable, progressive, incurable, and fatal occupational lung disease affecting countertop fabrication workers in California and across the United States.

U.S. Representatives Lou Correa of California and Maxine Dexter, M.D., of Oregon introduced the Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act on October 14, 2026. The legislation would establish a federal grant program to support screening, diagnosis, treatment, education, pulmonary rehabilitation, and coordinated patient care.

The legislation is especially important in California, where more than 662 confirmed silicosis cases have been reported. More than 135 are in Orange County. Rep. Correa's district includes Anaheim's "Tile Mile," where many workers cut and fabricate artificial stone slabs into custom countertops.

In announcing the bill, Rep. Correa directly addressed the artificial stone fabrication workers in his district:

"No worker should lose their ability to breathe because of the job they do to support their family. In Anaheim's Tile Mile, workers who cut manufactured stone countertops are being diagnosed with silicosis at alarming rates. Silicosis is preventable, and early detection can save lives. This bill puts resources into the hands of the clinics and hospitals that treat these workers, so they get the care they need before it's too late."

Artificial Stone Silicosis in California

Artificial stone, also referred to as engineered stone or manufactured stone, is at least 90% respirable crystalline silica. The remaining approximately 10% consists of highly toxic dyes, resins, glues, and heavy metals.

Cutting, grinding, and polishing artificial stone creates nano-sized, high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica dust. During fabrication, the highly toxic dyes, resins, glues, and heavy metals that make up approximately 10% of artificial stone release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Artificial stone workers inhale the nano-sized, high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica dust created during fabrication. These particles become lodged deeply in the lungs, causing inflammation and permanent scarring. Respiratory function progressively declines, leading to 24/7 supplemental oxygen dependence and, in severe cases, the need for double lung transplantation. Artificial stone silicosis is preventable, progressive, incurable, and fatal. There is no cure.

California's confirmed cases, and the concentration of cases in Orange County, underscore the importance of medical resources for workers diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis.

Bill Would Expand Resources for Affected Workers

The Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act would establish a competitive grant program administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration and authorize $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Eligible recipients would include federally qualified health centers, hospitals, state and local health departments, and nonprofit healthcare clinics and providers.

Grant funding could support:

• Outreach and education;
• Screening, diagnosis, and treatment;
• Education for patients, families, and affected workers;
• Counseling related to state and federal compensation programs;
• Individual patient care plans, referrals, and care coordination; and
• Pulmonary rehabilitation.

Grant recipients would provide treatment to people with silicosis regardless of their ability to pay.

While the federal program would operate nationwide, the legislation has particular significance for California's artificial stone fabrication workers who are already confronting the disease.

Rep. Dexter, a pulmonologist, said:

"A paycheck should never come at the cost of your ability to breathe. As a pulmonologist, I know the devastating impacts of lung disease. As cases rapidly increase, it is critical that we are educating those that are most at risk for this irreversible disease. The Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act will create funding for healthcare facilities to disseminate information and raise awareness about this progressive lung disease. We must protect the people whose hard work builds our communities."

Read the full proposed Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act:
https://correa.house.gov/imo/media/doc/silicosis_prevention_and_treatment_act.pdf

Brayton Purcell Welcomes Increased Attention to Artificial Stone Silicosis

Brayton Purcell LLP represents artificial stone workers and families affected by silicosis and welcomes the increased federal attention to the disease and the medical needs of workers already diagnosed.

James Nevin of Brayton Purcell LLP said:

"For people living with artificial stone silicosis, access to knowledgeable medical care, screening, pulmonary rehabilitation, and other support can be critically important. This bill recognizes the serious medical needs facing these patients and proposes meaningful resources to help address them. We welcome the increased attention to this devastating and irreversible disease that has affected artificial stone workers and their families."

For California artificial stone countertop workers, the proposed legislation represents an important effort to direct additional resources toward screening, diagnosis, treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, education, and coordinated care.

Brayton Purcell LLP and Artificial Stone Silicosis Litigation

Brayton Purcell LLP is an experienced law firm representing workers and families affected by artificial stone silicosis.

Individuals diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis may have legal rights related to the artificial stone products involved in their exposure. Those rights depend on the circumstances of each case, including the products involved, exposure history, medical history, and applicable law.

About Brayton Purcell LLP

Brayton Purcell LLP represents individuals and families in complex litigation involving occupational disease and toxic exposures. The firm's attorneys have decades of experience advocating for people and families affected by serious diseases associated with hazardous products and substances.

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SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP