Can Quartz Countertops Cause Silicosis?
The documented cases are among workers who cut and fabricate the stone. A 2019 CDC report described 18 cases of silicosis, including the first two fatalities reported in the United States, among stone fabrication workers in California, Colorado, Texas and Washington, and said several patients had severe progressive disease and some had associated autoimmune diseases and latent tuberculosis infection.
OSHA says countertops may contain over 90 percent silica depending on the type of stone, that engineered stone contains at least 93 percent silica, and that silica content is usually lower in natural stone. In September 2023 it launched a focused inspection initiative in the engineered stone fabrication and installation industries, to prioritize workplaces where workers are typically exposed to high levels of silica. Its respirable crystalline silica standard, with most obligations in effect since June 23, 2018, bars employers from exposing workers to more than 50 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over an 8-hour day.
California adopted an emergency rule. Its Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an emergency temporary standard on respirable crystalline silica on December 14, 2023, proposed by Cal/OSHA to protect stone fabrication workers from silicosis, and the regulation’s history note records the emergency amendment as filed and operative on December 29, 2023.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- StudyA 2019 CDC report described 18 cases of silicosis, including the first two fatalities reported in the US, among engineered stone fabrication workers in California, Colorado, Texas and Washington, several with severe progressive disease. CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ↗
- Government sourceOSHA says countertops may contain over 90 percent silica depending on the stone, that engineered stone contains at least 93 percent silica, and that silica content is usually lower in natural stone. OSHA ↗
- Regulatory filingOn September 22, 2023 OSHA launched a respirable crystalline silica focused inspection initiative in engineered stone fabrication and installation, prioritizing workplaces where workers are typically exposed to high levels of silica. OSHA ↗
- Regulatory filingOSHA’s standard at 29 CFR 1910.1053 bars employers from exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica above 50 µg/m3 as an 8-hour average, with most obligations commencing June 23, 2018. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1053 (eCFR) ↗
- Regulatory filingOn December 14, 2023 California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an emergency temporary standard on respirable crystalline silica to protect stone fabrication workers from silicosis. California Department of Industrial Relations ↗
- Regulatory filingThe history note of California’s silica regulation, Title 8 section 5204, records the emergency amendment as filed and operative on December 29, 2023. California Code of Regulations, Title 8 section 5204 ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.