On November 9th, Council District 3’s Office hosted a Silicosis Community Forum event to inform stone fabrication workers and their families, advocates, and local decision makers about Silicosis, a respiratory disease predominantly impacting Latino immigrant men working as cutters of artificial stone. Prominent leaders in attendance who have been at the forefront of bringing this health advisory into legislation included Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Dr. Jane Fazio, and State Senator Caroline Menjivar who addressed the room with similar messages - that local, state, and county must work collectively to educate workers about their rights, inform employers to establish safer work environments, and create the regulations needed to minimize cases.

At the event, attendees engaged with various organizations to obtain information about legal, unemployment and social services. EWDD staff, alongside the South Valley BusinessSource Center, were present to provide informational flyers about employment and business programs and services.

The event concluded with a panel discussion and presentations about Silicosis, Cal/OSHA, and MediCal enrollment. EWDD is committed to being a partner in spreading awareness about this preventable health issue impacting LA’s immigrant community.