A Sustainable Tomorrow Starts Today: When Design Choices Cost Lives

Artificial stone slabs are made primarily from quartz, a mineral that contains high levels of silica — often more than 90%. As the use of engineered stone has grown, so have cases of silicosis, especially in California. This serious and preventable lung disease is impacting workers across the construction, fabrication, and design industries.In this episode, Christine Peter and Kelsey Sebastian sit down with leading experts in occupational and public health to break down what silicosis is, why cases are rising, and what it means for the Architecture and Design (A+D) community. Together, they explore the health risks associated with silica exposure, current regulations, and the steps designers, specifiers, and industry leaders can take to help prevent this disease.Featuring insights from:Kristin J. Cummings, MD, MPH, ATSF — Chief, Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public HealthJenny Houlroyd, DrPH, CIH — Occupational Health Group Manager, Safety, Health, Environmental Services (SHES) at Georgia TechLisa Patrick-Mudd, MPH — Policy and Programs Manager, Office of Worker Health and Safety, Los Angeles County Department of Public HealthJoin us for an important conversation about material health, worker safety, and the role the A+D community can play in protecting lives.This episode is sponsored by Bentley Mills