California moves to ban quartz countertop fabrication to combat deadly silicosis epidemic
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted to adopt a petition banning engineered quartz countertops containing over 1% crystalline silica to combat a silicosis epidemic that has killed 31 workers and sickened hundreds since 2019. The decision targets a predominantly immigrant Latino workforce, many undocumented, who face severe lung damage from inhaling toxic silica dust during fabrication, with experts warning cases will continue rising until enforcement begins.
California regulators have initiated a ban on engineered quartz countertop fabrication to address a deadly silicosis epidemic. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved a petition last week to prohibit engineered stone with more than 1% crystalline silica, marking a critical step in protecting workers who cut, grind, and polish quartz. Over 560 cases and 31 deaths linked to engineered stone have been reported since 2019, with public health officials stating the numbers are likely underreported. The crisis primarily affects immigrant Latino workers, many of whom are undocumented. Exposure to silica dust causes irreversible lung scarring, often leaving victims dependent on lung transplants—a risky procedure that extends life by an average of six years. Testimonies from workers during a May 21 hearing in Los Angeles highlighted the physical and emotional toll of silicosis, with some describing fear of death and inability to care for their families. Elizabeth Noth, an industrial hygienist with Cal/OSHA, noted that engineered stone’s high silica content and nano-sized dust particles make it far more dangerous than traditional materials. Current safety measures, including respirators, have failed to curb the rising cases, which have doubled since 2024 despite regulatory efforts. Amy Heinzerling, chief of the California Department of Public Health’s Emerging Workplace Hazards Unit, emphasized the need for stronger action, calling the situation a public health crisis. The ban is the first step in a lengthy rulemaking process, with industry opposition expected. If enforced, California would become the first state to restrict the fabrication and installation of engineered stone, a material widely used in kitchens and bathrooms nationwide. Public health experts warn that deaths and illnesses will persist until the ban is fully implemented and regulators ensure compliance across fabrication shops.
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