{"id":271316,"date":"2025-06-16T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T11:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-brayton-purcell-la-county-board-of-supervisors-declares-june-as-silicosis-awareness-month\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T13:40:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:40:02","slug":"brayton-purcell-la-junta-de-supervisores-del-condado-de-los-angeles-declara-junio-como-el-mes-de-concientizacion-sobre-la-silicosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/brayton-purcell-la-junta-de-supervisores-del-condado-de-los-angeles-declara-junio-como-el-mes-de-concientizacion-sobre-la-silicosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Brayton Purcell: LA County Board of Supervisors Declares June as Silicosis Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">LOS ANGELES<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">June 16, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; In a decisive move to address a rising public health crisis, the <span class=\"xn-location\">Los Angeles County<\/span> Board of Supervisors (BOS) has officially proclaimed June as<b> Silicosis Awareness Month<\/b>. The motion\u2014led by Supervisors <span class=\"xn-person\">Lindsey P. Horvath<\/span> and Hilda Solis\u2014comes in response to an alarming increase in cases of silicosis, a preventable occupational lung disease primarily affecting artificial and natural stone fabrication workers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg282bleft\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg282bleft\" title=\"Brayton Purcell, LLP--Attorneys Helping People Providing excellent service to our clients is the highest goal of Brayton Purcell LLP. We pledge to work ceaselessly on your behalf, providing exceptional advocacy and unparalleled responsiveness. The compassion for and dedication to our clients can be witnessed both in and out of the courtroom. With compassion, dedication and a fierce pursuit of justice, we have secured record rulings for victims of diseases caused by the failure of manufacturers.\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2389282\/bp_blue_logo_Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Brayton Purcell, LLP--Attorneys Helping People Providing excellent service to our clients is the highest goal of Brayton Purcell LLP. We pledge to work ceaselessly on your behalf, providing exceptional advocacy and unparalleled responsiveness. The compassion for and dedication to our clients can be witnessed both in and out of the courtroom. With compassion, dedication and a fierce pursuit of justice, we have secured record rulings for victims of diseases caused by the failure of manufacturers.\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p><b>Silicosis Impact in the San Fernando Valley<br \/><\/b>The announcement is detailed in a report entitled &#8220;LA County Board of Supervisors Proclaim June as Silicosis Awareness Month&#8221; by\u00a0<b><span class=\"xn-person\">Semantha Raquel Norris<\/span><\/b> in the <i>San Fernando Valley Sun\/el Sol<\/i>, which highlighted the disproportionate impact of silicosis in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. According to the <b>California Department of Public Health (CDPH)<\/b>, as of <span class=\"xn-chron\">May 2025<\/span>, there have been <b>322 confirmed silicosis cases<\/b>, including <b>31 lung transplants and 15 deaths statewide<\/b>\u2014<b>more than 55% of which occurred in <span class=\"xn-location\">Los Angeles County<\/span><\/b>.\u00a0 (Engineered Stone Silicosis Surveillance Dashboard-CDPH <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4449314-1&amp;h=6354416&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdph.ca.gov%2FPrograms%2FCCDPHP%2FDEODC%2FOHB%2FPages%2Fessdashboard.aspx&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdph.ca.gov%2FPrograms%2FCCDPHP%2FDEODC%2FOHB%2FPages%2Fessdashboard.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/Programs\/CCDPHP\/DEODC\/OHB\/Pages\/essdashboard.aspx<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Supervisor Horvath emphasized the importance of public education, stating:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We want to make sure that not only are people aware of what this disease is, what it does, [and] how they can get exposed to harmful conditions,&#8221; she said, &#8220;but also, what they can do to protect themselves, [and] what we are doing to protect their health and invest in treatment and care.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Despite local and state efforts\u2014including a <span class=\"xn-money\">$500,000<\/span> investment in outreach and Cal\/OSHA&#8217;s updated safety standards\u2014advocates argue that current measures fall short.<\/p>\n<p><b>Legal Perspective from Brayton Purcell LLP<br \/><\/b>James\u00a0Nevin, a partner at Brayton Purcell LLP, who is representing numerous stone workers affected by artificial stone silicosis, weighed in on the need for stronger action.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that any amount of awareness helps, especially to the extent that then consumers might become aware of this epidemic,&#8221; said Nevin.<br \/>\u00a0&#8220;But a lot more needs to be done. What they really should be considering is a ban on artificial stone.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><b>Dangers of Artificial Stone and Industry Concerns<br \/><\/b>Artificial stone, which rose to become the most popular countertop material in the U.S. by 2021, contains at least 90% crystalline silica\u2014far more than natural stone. When cut or polished, it produces high-volume\u00a0nano-sized silica particles and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are highly dangerous to inhale.\u00a0 (Fazio, et al., &#8220;A Review of Silicosis and Other Silica-Related Diseases in the Engineered Stone Countertop Processing Industry&#8221; Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2025, 20:9)<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Silica and other components of artificial stone dust, even when all [Cal\/OSHA recommended] methods are used, are far above the PEL [Permissible Exposure Limit],&#8221; Nevin explained. (Soo, et al., &#8220;Respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica exposures among workers in stone countertop fabrication shops in <span class=\"xn-location\">Georgia<\/span> from 2017 to 2023, 2025, Annals of Work Exposures and Health)<br \/>\u00a0&#8220;To pretend that if we just license and train shops, somehow we won&#8217;t have this problem, is simply ignoring the science.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><b>International Comparisons and Developments<br \/><\/b>Countries like <b><span class=\"xn-location\">Australia<\/span><\/b> have already banned engineered stone, and contrary to fears, the industry has not collapsed. (Safe Work Australia &#8211; Decision Regulation Impact Statement &#8211; Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone &#8211; <span class=\"xn-chron\">August 2023<\/span>)<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s this irrational fear among politicians that, if we ban artificial stone, then all these workers and companies are going to go out of business,&#8221; Nevin stated.<br \/>\u00a0&#8220;That just doesn&#8217;t reflect the factual reality that they were fabricating before artificial stone was invented, and they&#8217;ll be fabricating after. \u2026 <span class=\"xn-location\">Australia<\/span> has banned artificial stone, and the fabrication companies are still in business.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, <b>Senator <span class=\"xn-person\">Caroline Menjivar&#8217;s<\/span> STOP Act (SB 20)<\/b> passed the <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> Senate with unanimous support and now heads to the Assembly. The bill would mandate training programs, certifications, and public tracking systems for stone fabrication shops\u2014well-intended but insufficient steps to close enforcement gaps and safeguard workers.<\/p>\n<p><b>A Balanced Approach to Economic and Health Priorities<br \/><\/b>Supervisor\u00a0Horvath acknowledged that legislative, regulatory, and educational efforts must balance economic needs with public health:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We need to make sure that [regulations are] done in such a way where people are able to have a livelihood, but they&#8217;re not having to put their life at risk in order to earn it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>She also confirmed that LA County&#8217;s Department of Economic Opportunity has received state funding to help train affected workers for alternative careers.<\/p>\n<p><b>A Call to Action for Worker Protection<br \/><\/b>As June unfolds, the proclamation of\u00a0<b>Silicosis Awareness Month<\/b> serves as both a call to action and a step toward lasting solutions. Advocates continue to urge public officials to address not only workplace protections, but the source of the crisis\u2014artificial stone itself.<\/p>\n<p><b>For media inquiries or to speak with <span class=\"xn-person\">James Nevin<\/span> or another representative from Brayton Purcell LLP, please contact:<br \/><\/b>Brayton Purcell LLP<br \/>\ud83d\udcde (800) 598-0314<br \/>\ud83c\udf10<u><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4449314-1&amp;h=3769637548&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.braytonlaw.com%2F&amp;a=%C2%A0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4449314-1&amp;h=1564350360&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.braytonlaw.com&amp;a=www.braytonlaw.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.braytonlaw.com<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p>Logo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4449314-1&amp;h=3839671156&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2389282%2Fbp_blue_logo_Logo.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2389282%2Fbp_blue_logo_Logo.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2389282\/bp_blue_logo_Logo.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  Brayton Purcell LLP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">LOS ANGELES<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">June 16, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; In a decisive move to address a rising public health crisis, the <span class=\"xn-location\">Los Angeles County<\/span> Board of Supervisors (BOS) has officially proclaimed June as<b> Silicosis Awareness Month<\/b>. The motion\u2014led by Supervisors <span class=\"xn-person\">Lindsey P. Horvath<\/span> and Hilda Solis\u2014comes in response to an alarming increase in cases of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":271317,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-271316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-salud"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271316"}],"version-history":[{"count":"1","href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":271322,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271316\/revisions\/271322"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/271317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=271316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=271316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}