California to ban quartz countertops over health risks

California is expected to pass an emergency regulation later this month that would ban the production or installation of artificial quartz countertops containing more than 1% crystalline silica. This move would make California the first U.S. state to implement such a ban, following Australia, which enacted a similar restriction in 2024.

The regulation addresses rising health concerns regarding workers who cut or drill the material. When crystalline silica is processed, it creates dust that, if inhaled, can lead to silicosis—an incurable and potentially fatal lung disease. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), exposure to this dust is also linked to increased risks of lung cancer, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms of silicosis often do not appear until 15 to 20 years after exposure, making it a significant long-term occupational hazard. While quartz remains a globally popular material in a market projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2026, California's decision marks a major shift in domestic safety standards for the industry.