The hidden toll of producing America’s favorite countertops
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Artificial-stone countertops have become a fixture of American kitchens, but their production has exposed fabricators to dangerously high levels of silica dust, leaving hundreds of workers with severe and sometimes fatal silicosis. As affected workers pursue billions of dollars in claims against manufacturers, California is weighing restrictions on the fabrication of engineered stone. At the same time, industry allies in Congress are pushing legislation that would limit manufacturers’ legal exposure, turning a workplace health crisis into a broader fight over regulation and liability.
Source
Heinzerling, Amy et al. “Silicosis among Workers Fabricating Engineered Stone ("Quartz") Countertops in California, 2019-2026.” NEJM evidence vol. 5,9 (2026): EVIDpha2600187. doi:10.1056/EVIDpha2600187
Additional Reading
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/popular-stone-countertops-lead-31-233947653.html