Health officials are issuing a warning after Massachusetts confirms the state’s first case of an incurable and life-threatening lung disease.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) confirmed that a man in his 40s was diagnosed with silicosis associated with occupational exposure. The patient spent the past 14 years working for a stone countertop fabrication and installation company in the state.

Following the reported case, the department issued a safety alert urging employers in the stone countertop fabrication industry to protect workers from silica dust exposure.

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling very tiny crystalline particles of silicon dioxide, or silica, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Exposure to silica is often work-related and typically seen in fields like construction, stonework, mining, pottery and .

There is no cure for silicosis, and it can be deadly. The condition can be prevented by reducing exposure to silica dust. It can also be managed with supplemental oxygen or a bronchodilator to improve airflow.

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“Silicosis is a devastating, life-altering disease – and one that is also absolutely preventable,” Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Public Health Commissioner, said in a statement. “Massachusetts employers in industries where workers are exposed to silica dust have a responsibility to protect their workforce, including from harmful airborne dust. No worker should have to suffer from a chronic and insidious lung disease or possibly die because of a preventable exposure at work.”

“The confirmation of this case in Massachusetts is a tragic reminder that silicosis is not just a distant threat – it is here, and it is seriously impacting the health of workers in Massachusetts,” added Emily Sparer-Fine, Director of DPH’s Occupational Health Surveillance Program. “Beyond the critical role employers play, everyone involved in the supply chain – from consumers and designers to contractors – can help reduce the danger by opting for materials that contain less silica and pose fewer health hazards.”

A study published July 2024 in the journalJAMA Internal Medicineanalyzed 52 cases of silicosis among workers in California who fabricate quartz countertops. Of those cases, 10 workers died and three required lung transplants. Researchers estimated that 100,000 workers in the U.S. are potentially at risk of silicosis due to exposure to silica dust.

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In Massachusetts’ new alert, health officials note that although this is the state’s first case, it suggests that additional, unconfirmed cases could exist.

Most cases of silicosis are work-related and it is very rare for the disease to occur outside of workplace exposure. However, the safety alert was issued to raise awareness and increase preventive measures.

Early symptoms of silicosis include an irritating cough, mucus, and shortness of breath, the DPH states. As the disease progresses, symptoms include difficulty breathing, fatigue, chest pain, leg swelling and blue lips. Silicosis also increases the risk for other lung diseases, such as lung cancer and tuberculosis.