Silicosis epidemic rising among quartz countertop workers

A new report has documented a growing silicosis epidemic among quartz countertop workers in California. Co-authored by David Michaels of George Washington University and experts from the California Department of Public Health, the study identified 592 cases of the incurable lung disease among fabrication workers between January 2019 and June 2026.

Of the identified cases, 65 workers required lung transplants and 31 died. The disease is caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust, which is prevalent in engineered stone countertops that often contain more than 90% crystalline silica. The report notes that patients are being diagnosed at relatively young ages following short periods of exposure, with many cases progressing rapidly.

Researchers are calling for a national effort to implement stronger surveillance, earlier diagnosis, and policy interventions to protect workers. While safer alternatives exist, quartz remains a highly popular countertop material in the United States.