California report links quartz countertop work to hundreds of silicosis cases

A report from the California Department of Public Health has documented a growing epidemic of silicosis among workers fabricating engineered stone, commonly marketed as quartz countertops. Between January 2019 and June 2026, researchers identified 592 cases of the incurable lung disease in California.

The report notes that 31 workers died from the disease and 65 required lung transplants. Silicosis is caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust, which is highly concentrated in engineered stone—often exceeding 90% silica content. The disease causes irreversible lung scarring and can progress rapidly, often affecting workers at relatively young ages.

Experts, including former OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels, have called for increased surveillance and policy interventions to protect workers. The findings suggest that while the documented cases are in California, there may be thousands of similar cases across the United States. The industry's gender ratio contributes to the demographic impact, with men accounting for approximately 99% of the studied cases.