Silicosis Lung Injuries Drive California Push to Ban Artificial Stone Countertops

Workers diagnosed with silicosis after years of cutting, grinding or polishing engineered stone may also be eligible to pursue compensation from companies accused of exposing them to dangerous silica dust.

California regulators have introduced a proposed rule that would bar the fabrication of engineered stone countertops that contain more than one percent of crystalline silica in a bid to protect stone cutters, fabricators and installers from a deadly lung disease known as silicosis.

A draft proposed engineered stone ban was introduced on September 16 as an “emergency rulemaking” during an advisory meeting for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The ban seeks to combat rising rates of silicosis throughout the state that have been directly tied to the artificial stone countertop industry.

The ban was first proposed in a petition filed by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association (WOEMA) in late December 2025, which argues that the science linking engineered stone fabrication to silicosis is undeniable and requires action to protect workers.

Silicosis Lung Injury Risks

California is the heart of the countertop industry for engineered stone, also known as artificial stone and fabricated quartz. The industry is believed to be valued at between $1.5 and $2.5 billion.

However, cutting, grinding and otherwise working with engineered stone can release high concentrations of silica dust containing microscopic particles that can become embedded in the lungs when inhaled. Stone cutters, fabricators and installers may face repeated exposure to this dust during routine countertop fabrication and installation work.

This exposure can lead to a condition known as silicosis, a potentially deadly respiratory illness that causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs, leading to lung failure. Treatment often requires a lung transplant for any chance at survival.

Numerous workers have filed silicosis lawsuits against their former employers and stone manufacturers, indicating they were not properly warned about silica dust exposure risks. They also accuse employers of failing to provide proper protective equipment and the failure to use silica dust controlling measures.

California regulators have already tightened silica safety requirements in recent years, but WOEMA has argued those measures have not gone far enough to protect engineered stone workers.

The group first pushed for stronger protections in 2023, which helped lead to tougher Cal/OSHA rules for cutting, grinding and polishing artificial stone. In December 2025, WOEMA returned with a new petition (PDF) arguing that engineered stone containing crystalline silica could not be fabricated safely and calling for a broader prohibition.

“The evidence is now clear that engineered stone containing crystalline silica is too toxic to fabricate and install safely, and education and enforcement alone will not be sufficient to curtail the escalating occupational health emergency caused by this product.”

— Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association

On May 21, 2026, California regulators voted to move forward with developing restrictions on engineered stone containing more than one percent crystalline silica. That process led to the discussion draft presented during the September 16 advisory meeting.

California Engineered Stone Ban

Under the proposed rule, countertop employers would be required to notify workers verbally and in writing that manufacturing or cutting engineered stone is prohibited because of the health risks. Employers would also have to post highly visible warning signs in the workplace.

If the ban is adopted, businesses would generally have 60 days to stop manufacturing, shaping and installing covered engineered stone products or face enforcement action. Limited exceptions would allow certain existing orders to be completed for up to 180 days after the rule takes effect.

Violations could be treated as an “imminent hazard” and result in an Order Prohibiting Use. Cal/OSHA is accepting public comments on the proposal through September 30 at RS@dir.ca.gov.

The proposed rule also follows growing calls for similar restrictions outside California. Earlier this month, researchers from Queen’s University in Canada published a case study concluding that existing dust controls and protective equipment may not be enough to make engineered stone fabrication safe.

Engineered Stone Silicosis Lawsuits

The proposed ban is a culmination of years of evidence that silica dust has caused silicosis in engineered stone countertop workers nationwide. As a result, engineered stone silicosis lawsuits have been filed by many of those workers alleging their employers failed to adequately warn them about, or equip them for, the long-term health risks of breathing silica dust.

Former workers and their families allege that more steps could have been taken to protect them from silica dust. However, many critics say there is no current, economical way to make engineered stone manufacturing safe.

Silicosis attorneys are currently reviewing claims and providing free consultations for any engineered stone workers who have suffered severe respiratory injuries or other health problems due to silica dust exposure. These attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

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