31 dead, nearly 600 sickened in California silicosis crisis linked to quartz countertops
Nearly 600 California workers have developed silicosis after cutting and fabricating quartz countertops, according to a new California Department of Public Health report published on August 12. Officials identified 592 cases among countertop fabrication workers, including 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths, occurring between January 2019 and June 2026. Experts warned that the true number of cases may be higher, as many workers are diagnosed late or not diagnosed at all. Quartz, also known as engineered stone, can contain very high levels of silica. When it is cut, shaped, or polished, it can release fine dust that workers may inhale, leading to irreversible lung damage. California health officials say silicosis is incurable and can lead to disability or death. Silicosis has long been associated with jobs such as mining, quarrying, foundry work, and sandblasting. But the California cases show how even making a kitchen countertop can be deadly. Click on to learn more about silicosis, its symptoms, and the industries most at risk.
2026-05-21T14:05:52Z
The countries with the best healthcare in the world
How is healthcare defined? Generally, we understand it as a set of systems we depend on, that help us maintain our personal health through prevention or treatment of illness, disease, injury, or another kind of mental or physical impairment. Many governments provide nationwide healthcare to their citizens; however, the standard and quality of care ultimately received by the patient differs from country to country, and there are several reasons for this. Ranking the world's countries in order of the best healthcare services is no small task, and to do so several factors were taken into consideration. 1. The Legatum Prosperity Index measures the extent to which people are healthy and have access to the necessary services to maintain good health, including health outcomes, health systems, illness and risk factors, and mortality rates. 2. CEOWORLD Magazine's Health Care Index "is a statistical analysis of the overall quality of the health care system, including health care infrastructure; health care professionals (doctors, nursing staff, and other health workers) competencies; cost (USD p.a.per capita); quality medicine availability, and government readiness." Under this index, each country is scored out of a total of 100. 3. U.S. News & World Report is a valuable resource with a suite of health-focused rankings. Since 1990, the publication has compiled Best Hospital rankings. Taking these three metrics into account, countries were ranked for their healthcare system's performance. Intrigued? Click on to learn where in the world you'll receive the best healthcare.
2024-04-17T08:13:11Z
