31 Dead, Nearly 600 Sickened from Silicosis Linked to Stone Countertop Exposure

Vanessa EtienneThu, August 13, 2026 at 6:46 PM UTC

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Cutting stone countertopCredit: Getty -

Nearly 600 California workers developed silicosis from cutting quartz countertops, which release harmful silica dust

The disease has no cure and has led to 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths among affected workers

California officials are considering regulations after Australia banned engineered stone to protect workers from silica exposure

Nearly 600 people in California have fallen ill with a deadly lung disease after working for manufacturers of quartz countertops.

According to a new report — published August 12 by the California Department of Public Health — the number of cases of silicosis has drastically increased in recent years. Between January 2019 and June 2026, health officials identified 592 cases of silicosis among quartz countertop fabrication workers. Of those cases, 65 patients required lung transplants and 31 patients died.

The department noted that the median age of workers who were diagnosed with silicosis is 46, and the median age of workers who died from the disease is 52. Additionally, men account for 99% of all cases and about half of the cases were reported in Los Angeles County.

Quartz countertops have become increasingly popular for home renovators and designers due to their durability and resistance to damage compared to natural stone. However, quartz — also called engineered stone — contains more than 90% silica and generates fine dust when cut, which can lead to silicosis.

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling very tiny crystalline particles of silicon dioxide, or silica, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Exposure to silica is often work-related and typically seen in fields like construction, stonework, mining, pottery and more.

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Worker cutting stone countertopCredit: Getty

There is no cure for silicosis, and it can be deadly. The condition can be prevented by reducing exposure to silica dust. It can also be managed with supplemental oxygen or a bronchodilator to improve airflow.

“Hundreds of workers have been sickened making quartz countertops, a product we do not need, especially when a safer alternative is available,” David Michaels, co-author of the report and professor at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, said in a release. “Given the hundreds of diagnosed cases of silicosis in California, there are likely thousands of more cases across the country. Health care practitioners and public health departments should be on the lookout for cases and join the effort to stop this epidemic and save workers lives.”

Health experts pointed out in the report that the number of cases is likely much higher because many workers go undiagnosed or receive a late diagnosis.

California officials said they have since started working on significant regulatory and legislative action. Authors of the report said they should model Australia, which became the first country to fully ban engineered stone in 2023 to protect workers from silica dust exposure.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”