What Is Silicosis? What To Know As Hundreds Fall Ill From Stone Countertops
Nearly 600 California workers have developed silicosis, raising concerns about silica exposure and risks to workers nationwide.
A new report by the California Department of Public Health reveals that hundreds of workers who craft engineered-stone countertops in the state have contracted silicosis, a fatal lung ailment. The study, which examined cases from January 2019 to June 2026, identified 592 confirmed instances of the disease among California workers. At least 31 individuals have succumbed to the illness, while 65 others have required lung transplants.
Engineered stone, often marketed as quartz, is a particular concern due to its high silica content—often exceeding 90 percent. During the processes of cutting, grinding, or polishing, fine silica dust can become airborne, posing a significant risk to the workers' respiratory health. Symptoms of silicosis include persistent coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. However, many people may not exhibit symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly, and others might be asymptomatic altogether.
Silicosis is a progressive and incurable lung condition that arises from inhaling respirable crystalline silica particles. These particles can become embedded deep within the lungs, leading to inflammation and scarring. Over time, this damage can be severe enough to cause disability or death. The disease is not reversible, but it is preventable with proper safety measures.
David Michaels, a co-author of the report and a professor at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health, stated that the California findings likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem, as potentially thousands of additional cases may exist across the United States. Health care providers and public health departments are urged to be vigilant for cases and collaborate in efforts to prevent this epidemic and save workers' lives.
The California outbreak is the largest known cluster of its kind in the U.S., but similar cases have been reported among stone fabrication workers in other states, including Colorado, Texas, and Washington. A 2019 CDC report documented 18 cases, including two fatalities, among such workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has warned that workers involved in the manufacturing, finishing, and installation of engineered-stone countertops can be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, particularly during cutting, grinding, or polishing.
California health officials emphasize that the state's numbers may be an underestimation of the true extent of the problem, as not all cases are diagnosed or reported. The vast majority of affected workers are relatively young immigrant men, predominantly from Mexico and Central America, and many cases involve inadequate dust control measures and delayed diagnoses.
NIOSH and OSHA have recently issued a joint advisory highlighting the dangers of silica dust exposure for workers involved in stone countertop manufacturing and installation.
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