Hundreds of Silicosis Cases Diagnosed Among Quartz Countertop Workers in California: Report

Earlier this year, the state approved an emergency rule limiting the amount of crystalline silica in quartz countertops to 1 percent.

A new study shows that California has documented nearly 600 cases of severe lung damage among workers who handle quartz countertops since 2019, including more than 30 deaths and dozens of cases requiring lung transplants.

The California Department of Public Health published its findings in NEJM Evidence on August 12, warning that silicosis often develops in young workers after relatively short periods of exposure. The report also found that silica dust exposure may increase the risk of autoimmune disorders and tuberculosis.

In recent years, workers who cut, grind and fabricate quartz countertops, also known as engineered stone, have faced increasing concerns about silica dust exposure. The fine particles released during this work can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and permanent scarring known as silicosis.

Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease caused by repeated inhalation of silica dust. In severe cases, the damage can progress to respiratory failure and may ultimately require a lung transplant.

As a result, a number of silicosis lawsuits have been filed on behalf of workers who claim their employers knew they were being exposed to high levels of silica dust, yet did not provide proper protective equipment or silica dust suppression systems.

California Silicosis Study

In the report, a research team led by Dr. Amy Heinzerling reviewed silicosis diagnoses among California workers from January 2019 through June 2026.

The study period began with California’s first confirmed silicosis case, involving a countertop fabrication worker who was diagnosed at age 32 and died of respiratory failure six years later. Researchers found that hundreds of additional cases followed.

By June 2026, the California Department of Public Health had identified 595 silicosis cases, including 31 deaths and 56 workers who required lung transplants. California is home to a large share of the quartz countertop fabrication industry, leaving workers in the state particularly vulnerable to silica dust exposure.

“These cases are notable for the patients’ young age at diagnosis, short duration of exposure, severity and rapid progression of disease, and frequent co-occurrence of other silica-associated conditions, including autoimmune disease and tuberculosis.”

– California Department of Public Health

According to the study, this data is already being used to change policy and regulations in the state, including new, more stringent workplace rules and mandatory silicosis reporting. However, the researchers noted the state has a long way to go to address the problem.

In 2024, state regulators were only able to inspect 85 of California’s more than 1,300 quartz countertop fabrication shops. They found violations of safety regulations at 95% of them.

The researchers note that exposure could be suppressed by the use of proper water-based tools and ventilation, but notes that they are costly to install and maintain, and would not prevent all silica dust exposure or silicosis diagnoses.

In May, California agreed to prohibit all quartz countertop products that contained more than 1% crystalline silica as part of an emergency rule to address the problem more fully. The rulemaking was in response to a petition by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association. A similar policy was put in place in Australia in 2024.

Quartz Countertop Silicosis Lawsuits

A number of silicosis lawsuits have been filed by countertop fabrication workers who developed severe lung damage after years of cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone products.

The claims generally allege that quartz countertop manufacturers and suppliers failed to adequately warn workers about the amount of silica dust released during fabrication and the risk of developing permanent lung damage. Several major companies have been named in the litigation, including:

• Caesarstone
• Cosentino
• Cambria
• MSI
• Arizona Tile

The lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, lung transplant costs and other damages linked to silica-related illnesses.

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