California Quartz Countertop Workers Face Devastating Lung Disease: 592 Silicosis Cases, 31 Deaths Reported

A new report identified 592 silicosis cases among California engineered-stone countertop workers, including 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants.

California Countertop Workers Face a Growing Silica Dust Health Crisis

A serious occupational health crisis has emerged among workers who cut and finish engineered-stone countertops in California, with hundreds diagnosed with silicosis, a progressive lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust.

A report published Aug. 12 in NEJM Evidence identified 592 cases of silicosis among California countertop fabrication workers between January 2019 and June 2026. Of those workers, 65 underwent lung transplantation and 31 died.

The findings have renewed concerns about the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to silica dust during the fabrication of engineered-stone products, which are commonly used for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

The report also warns that the number of identified cases may represent only part of the problem.

What Makes Quartz Countertops a Workplace Hazard?

Engineered stone is frequently marketed as quartz and is manufactured using crushed stone combined with resins and pigments. Some engineered-stone products contain very high concentrations of crystalline silica.

The finished countertop may not pose the same risk as the raw material being processed. The concern arises during fabrication, particularly when workers cut, grind or polish slabs.

These activities can release extremely small silica particles into the air. When inhaled, the particles can travel deep into the lungs and cause permanent damage.

Workers who perform these tasks repeatedly over many years can face particularly serious risks if dust-control measures are inadequate.

According to the California report, the median duration of silica-dust exposure among affected workers was 22 years.

Silicosis Can Cause Permanent Lung Damage

Silicosis develops when inhaled crystalline silica causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs. As the disease progresses, the lungs can become less capable of transferring oxygen efficiently.

Symptoms may include:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest discomfort
• Reduced ability to perform physical activity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no known cure for silicosis. Severe cases may require a lung transplant.

The disease can also increase the risk of tuberculosis and other serious respiratory complications.

Because symptoms can develop over time, workers may not immediately realize that their exposure is causing permanent lung damage.

Most Diagnosed Workers Were Latino Men

The demographic figures in the California report are striking.

Of the 592 workers diagnosed with silicosis, 591 were men and 580 were Latino. The median age at diagnosis was 46.

Among workers who died, the median age was 52.

The severity of the disease is further reflected in the number of patients referred for transplantation. Nearly one-quarter of the workers, or 138 people, were referred for lung transplantation.

Ultimately, 65 received new lungs.

Thirty-one workers died.

These numbers highlight how a disease associated with workplace exposure can have life-changing or fatal consequences, including for workers who are still relatively young.

California's First Known Case Revealed More Cases

The investigation into the problem began with a 32-year-old countertop worker who was diagnosed with silicosis.

He later died from respiratory failure at age 38.

Investigators then identified two additional cases among former employees of the same company. One of those workers also died.

Health officials subsequently screened 43 current employees at the company and discovered five additional cases.

The findings demonstrate the importance of workplace screening, particularly when workers have a history of prolonged exposure to silica dust.

They also suggest that some cases could remain undetected without targeted screening programs.

Researchers Warn the True Number May Be Higher

The 592 confirmed cases do not necessarily represent the total number of California workers affected by silicosis.

Researchers said the state's surveillance system largely depends on passive reporting of diagnosed cases. That means workers who have not been screened, diagnosed or correctly identified may not appear in official statistics.

Misdiagnosis and inconsistent screening can further complicate efforts to determine the true scale of the disease.

The report estimates that approximately 100,000 current and former countertop fabrication workers live in the United States.

That figure raises an important question: How many workers nationwide could be at risk but have not yet been diagnosed?

Silica-Related Cases Are Being Reported Beyond California

California's experience is part of a broader concern surrounding engineered-stone fabrication in the United States.

In December 2025, Massachusetts health officials issued a safety alert after confirming the state's first reported case involving a stone countertop worker. The worker had been employed by two fabrication and installation companies.

Federal regulators have also identified serious workplace exposure elsewhere.

In Chicago, federal inspectors proposed more than $1 million in penalties against a countertop company in 2024 after a 31-year-old worker required a double-lung transplant.

OSHA said workers at the facility had been exposed to silica concentrations reaching six times the federal limit.

The case demonstrated the potentially severe consequences of inadequate exposure controls.

Australia Banned Engineered Stone Products

Some governments have taken even more aggressive action to address the risks associated with engineered stone.

Australia implemented a nationwide ban in 2024 covering the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered-stone countertops, panels and slabs.

The move reflected concerns about workers' exposure to respirable crystalline silica during the processing of these materials.

The Australian approach illustrates how seriously some authorities view the potential health consequences associated with high-silica engineered stone.

How Can Workers Reduce Silica Exposure?

Preventing exposure is a central part of protecting workers from silicosis.

Employers can use engineering controls and safer work practices designed to reduce the amount of respirable silica released into the workplace. Depending on the operation, these measures may include effective ventilation, dust suppression, appropriate cutting techniques and respiratory protection.

Worker training is also important. Employees should understand where silica exposure can occur and how workplace controls are intended to protect them.

Medical monitoring can help identify potential disease among workers with significant exposure histories.

Anyone concerned about past silica exposure or experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms should speak with a qualified healthcare professional about appropriate evaluation.

A Warning for the Countertop Industry

The California report provides a sobering picture of the potential consequences of long-term silica exposure among engineered-stone countertop workers.

The 592 identified cases include dozens of deaths and more than 60 lung transplants. The median age of diagnosis was only 46, underscoring that silicosis can cause devastating illness well before old age.

At the same time, researchers caution that official numbers may underestimate the true burden of disease.

As engineered stone continues to be used in construction and home renovation, protecting the workers who fabricate these materials remains a significant occupational health challenge.

The California findings serve as a reminder that the risks associated with a countertop begin long before the finished product reaches a home. For workers who spend years cutting, grinding and polishing high-silica materials, effective dust controls, workplace safety measures and appropriate medical monitoring can play an important role in reducing exposure and identifying disease.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes and is based on publicly available reporting and published health information. It is not a substitute for professional medical, occupational-health or workplace-safety advice. Individual risks can vary depending on the type and duration of exposure, workplace conditions and other factors. Anyone concerned about silica exposure, respiratory symptoms or workplace safety should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional or relevant occupational-safety authority. Public health guidance and scientific findings may change as additional evidence becomes available.