Georgia Tech’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES) Occupational Health Services Manager Jenny Houlroyd was featured in a recent InvestigateTV report that showcased the widespread crisis facing engineered stone workers across the U.S.
Engineered stone, a popular material for kitchen and bathroom countertops, can contain more than 90% crystalline silica, and during fabrication the slabs release a fine dust that can lead to silicosis, an untreatable lung disease.
Industry groups are encouraging Congress to pass H.R. 5437, a bill that would shield engineered‑stone manufacturers from liability. Critics argue the measure protects companies that have long known the risks, while experts warn that existing safety practices are inadequate.
Houlroyd led a SHES research team that has been sounding the alarm about the dangers facing engineered stone workers nationwide. In the InvestigateTV report, she discussed the ways that SHES is helping engineered stone manufacturers pinpoint hazards and craft solutions to keep workers safe.
Watch the InvestigateTV report.