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Arizona Tile, L.L.C.

Arizona Tile, L.L.C., a prominent tile and slab distributor in the U.S., has come under scrutiny for its handling of safety data regarding its artificial stone products. Despite boasting a large selection of natural and artificial stone materials and expanding its operations across the Western United States since its inception in 1977, the company's approach to health and safety has raised serious concerns.
In March 2018, Arizona Tile issued a Safety Data Sheet for its engineered stone products, which contained misleading and potentially dangerous information. The sheet claimed that the company's quartz products, which are known to contain high levels of crystalline silica, posed "no immediate hazard to health" as shipped and used by the end user. This assertion overlooks the significant health risks associated with the fabrication and processing of these materials, which can expose workers to dangerous levels of crystalline silica dust, leading to severe illnesses such as silicosis, lung cancer, and other debilitating diseases.
The safety precautions outlined by Arizona Tile in their data sheet were criticized for being inadequate and vague. Recommendations such as "Do not breathe dust/spray" and "Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye, and face protection" fall short of addressing the real dangers posed by crystalline silica exposure. Notably, the company failed to emphasize the need for air-supplied respirators, which are crucial for protecting workers from silicosis. The guidance on ventilation and respiratory protection provided by Arizona Tile was also found to be insufficient and potentially misleading, as it did not specify the necessary types of ventilation or the exact respirators required to ensure worker safety.
Furthermore, Arizona Tile's communication regarding the chronic effects of exposure to their artificial stone products was particularly troubling. The company's statement that "No chronic effects are known for exposure to intact engineered stone products" directly contradicts established medical research linking crystalline silica exposure to chronic conditions like silicosis and lung cancer. The assertion that only long-term, continual exposure at or above occupational limits leads to silicosis is misleading, as even lower levels of exposure have been associated with the disease.
Arizona Tile's handling of these safety issues not only undermines the well-being of workers in the stone fabrication industry but also raises questions about the company's commitment to transparent and responsible business practices. The discrepancies and inadequacies in their safety data sheet highlight a concerning disregard for the serious health risks associated with their products, necessitating a reevaluation of their safety protocols and communication strategies.