Att.4—Info Sheet

Artificial Stone Countertop Facility Survey
Who is NIOSH?
NIOSH
• is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a federal public health agency.
• is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related illness.
• is not part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• does not enforce workplace health and safety laws.

Why is NIOSH contacting you?
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NIOSH is contacting stone fabricators to share information about silica exposure.
Breathing silica dust can cause the lung disease silicosis.
Cases of accelerated silicosis have been reported among stone fabrication workers in the U.S.
Crystalline silica is found in engineered stone and other stone materials.
When workers cut, grind, drill, or polish stone materials, they may inhale very small crystalline silica particles
which can cause lung damage, permanent disability, and death.
Silicosis can be prevented through actions to reduce silica dust exposure, such as protective equipment.

What else is NIOSH doing?
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NIOSH is actively working to support health and safety measures among engineered stone fabricators.
In addition to sharing information about silica exposure, NIOSH is trying to talk with fabricators about work
practices to increase our understanding of the industry and potential silica exposures.
NIOSH would like to talk with you about your work practices as part of our workplace survey.
NIOSH will use survey information from all participating workplaces to better understand ways to protect workers
from exposure to crystalline silica.
Your company information will not be shared with other companies, and NIOSH will not directly identify your
workplace in study findings.

How can I participate?
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Participation is voluntary.
If you are interested in participating, NIOSH or individuals working with NIOSH will reach out by phone, mail, or
email to discuss the project and how to patriciate.

How can I get more information?
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More information about artificial stone materials and crystalline silica can be found at:
• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/infotext.html
More information about NIOSH can be found at:
• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about/default.html
For questions or more information about our project, contact:
• Alyson Fortner, afortner@cdc.gov or 304.285.5851.
• Reid Harvey, iez1@cdc.gov or 304.285.6377.