Piedra Fina Marble, Inc. Falls Short of Providing Adequate Warnings for Stone Products

Piedrafina Marble, Inc., initially incorporated as Pedrafina Marble, Inc. in 2012, has positioned itself as a significant player in the marble distribution industry, with its principal office nestled in Stockton, California. Despite its stature, the company's approach to disclosing the health hazards associated with its BellaQuartz product raises serious concerns about its commitment to worker safety and transparency.

In June 2018, Piedrafina released a Safety Data Sheet for BellaQuartz, which alarmingly contains 93% crystalline silica, a substance well-known for its hazardous health implications, including silicosis, lung cancer, and other chronic conditions. The sheet's attempt to downplay these risks is not only misleading but outright dangerous, particularly when it cavalierly states that "Quartz surfaces products are not hazardous as shipped." This assertion grossly overlooks the reality that the fabrication process of these surfaces inevitably generates respirable crystalline silica dust, posing a grave risk to workers involved in stone countertop production.

The Safety Data Sheet's hazard identification section inadequately addresses the potential health effects, merely hinting at irritation and injury from dust and flying particles without emphasizing the severe, life-threatening consequences of chronic exposure to silica dust. The mention of silicosis—a progressive, incurable, and fatal lung disease—appears almost as an afterthought, buried beneath less significant acute effects and failing to convey the urgency and severity of the risk it poses to workers.

Piedrafina's failure to provide clear and effective use instructions to prevent these debilitating diseases is a glaring omission. The Safety Data Sheet suggests that "general room ventilation is satisfactory under anticipated use conditions," a statement that not only contradicts established safety practices but also dangerously underestimates the necessity for effective mechanical ventilation in reducing silica dust exposure in countertop fabrication environments.

Moreover, the recommendation for "appropriate respiratory equipment" in cases of "insufficient ventilation" is vague and insufficient. It neglects to specify that only air-supplied respirators can offer adequate protection against the high levels of crystalline silica dust generated during stone fabrication. This omission misleads workers and employers into believing that less effective dust masks or particulate respirators might suffice, placing workers at an unacceptable risk of developing silicosis.

The Toxicological Information section further demonstrates Piedrafina's evasion of responsibility, with ambiguous statements regarding the duration and quantity of silica exposure necessary to cause silicosis. By not quantifying what constitutes "prolonged" or "massive" inhalation, the company effectively obscures the fact that even low levels of silica exposure can be harmful, misleading workers about the true nature of the risk they face.

Finally, the Safety Data Sheet's inclusion of key regulatory terms and acronyms without actually providing the relevant exposure limits or guidelines is indicative of Piedrafina's disregard for compliance with the Hazard Communication Standard. This omission deprives workers of critical information needed to safeguard their health and well-being.

In summary, Piedrafina Marble, Inc.'s handling of the safety data for BellaQuartz reflects a disturbing neglect for the health and safety of workers in the stone fabrication industry. The company's Safety Data Sheet not only falls short of providing adequate warnings and protective measures against the known risks of crystalline silica exposure but also contributes to the ongoing underestimation of occupational hazards in the industry. It is imperative that Piedrafina Marble, Inc. rectify these shortcomings and prioritize the health and safety of all individuals who come into contact with their products.