Respirator Exposure Data in Fabrication Now Publicly Available
OBERLIN, OH — The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) announced that a peer-reviewed study published in September 2025 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine is now publicly available as an open-access publication.
The study is based on air respirator exposure data voluntarily collected from NSI member companies and represents the largest known dataset of countertop fabrication exposure data to date. As is common with many peer-reviewed academic publications, the report was initially available by subscription only. Yale University has now funded open access, making the full study available to industry professionals, regulators and the public.
The study reinforces key conclusions long supported through industry best practices and training initiatives. It confirms that dry cutting significantly increases exposure risk and wet cutting practices should be adopted. Overall exposure data mirrors other published research, demonstrating that risks can be minimized when proper engineering controls, including water delivery systems and ventilation, are implemented.
The findings also highlight an ongoing need for expanded medical surveillance data. In response, the NSI continues to advance collaborative research efforts. Yale is currently in the final stages of a comprehensive medical surveillance study, which includes a review of available industry data to further strengthen understanding of worker health outcomes.
"This study validates what responsible fabricators have been implementing for years," said Jim Hieb, NSI CEO. "When proper engineering controls are in place and dry cutting is eliminated, exposure risks can be significantly reduced. Making this research publicly accessible supports transparency and informed decision-making across the industry."
The full study can be accessed here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.70020
The publication is also available within NSI's Silica Safety Resources section at: www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/silica
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