Hundreds of workers who cut and fabricate quartz countertops in California have developed silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. Dozens have died or required lung transplants, according to a 2026 medical report that raises concerns about the dangers facing countertop workers nationwide.
The research published in NEJM Evidence documented 592 cases of silicosis among California engineered stone countertop workers between January 2019 and June 2026. Of those workers, 65 underwent lung transplantation, and 31 died. Researchers also warned that the actual number of affected workers is likely higher because silicosis frequently goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for other respiratory illnesses.
The findings add to growing evidence that workers who cut, grind, and polish engineered stone countertops face potentially devastating health consequences from exposure to silica dust.
What Did the California Silicosis Study Find?
The report, authored by researchers from the California Department of Public Health, several universities, and occupational health experts, documented severe outcomes among workers exposed to silica dust during countertop fabrication.
Among the 592 identified cases:
- 65 workers underwent lung transplants, approximately 11% of those diagnosed.
- 31 workers died from the disease.
- 138 workers were referred for lung transplantation.
- The median age at diagnosis was 46, while the median age at death was 52.
The study also found that 98% of the affected workers were Latino, reflecting the disproportionate impact of the disease on this workforce. These figures are particularly concerning because silicosis is preventable. Yet workers continue to develop serious lung damage from exposure to airborne silica particles.
Researchers cautioned that California's surveillance system relies heavily on reported diagnoses rather than comprehensive screening. As a result, additional cases may remain unidentified.
Why Are Quartz Countertop Workers Developing Silicosis?
Engineered stone countertops, commonly marketed as quartz, are manufactured using crushed quartz, resins, and pigments. Many products contain more than 90% crystalline silica. When workers cut, grind, drill, or polish these slabs, microscopic silica particles can become airborne. Inhaling the dust can cause permanent scarring of lung tissue, eventually making breathing increasingly difficult.
Unlike some respiratory conditions, silicosis can’t be cured. Workers with advanced disease may require supplemental oxygen, and some eventually need lung transplants. The disease can develop after years of exposure, but high concentrations of silica dust can accelerate its progression.
Workers may initially experience symptoms such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest discomfort. Because these symptoms resemble other respiratory illnesses, diagnosing silicosis can be difficult without a detailed occupational history.
For more on the risks associated with countertop fabrication, see why quartz countertop workers are developing silicosis.
The Silicosis Threat Extends Beyond California
Although the new research focuses on California, silica exposure is a concern for countertop fabrication workers throughout the U.S., including Georgia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has identified engineered stone fabrication as a significant occupational health concern.
A January 2026 NIOSH report noted that 51% of inspected California stone fabrication shops had at least one worker exposed to respirable crystalline silica above the federal permissible exposure limit.
The California study also cited research examining silica dust exposure in Georgia countertop fabrication shops between 2017 and 2023, demonstrating that researchers have investigated these hazards closer to home.
The findings raise important questions about whether countertop workers elsewhere are receiving adequate protection and whether silicosis cases are being recognized early enough.
Can Workers Diagnosed With Silicosis File a Lawsuit?
As more countertop workers receive silicosis diagnoses, questions are emerging about the responsibilities of engineered stone manufacturers and others involved in producing and supplying these materials.
Potential legal claims may allege that manufacturers failed to adequately warn about silica exposure hazards or that their products posed unreasonable risks to workers.
Workers diagnosed with silicosis may have legal options depending on their exposure history, the products they handled, and the circumstances of their illness. These cases can involve product liability claims against manufacturers or other responsible companies, separate from workers' compensation claims involving an employer.
Atlanta-based personal injury law firm Childers, Schlueter & Smith (CSS) represents individuals and families pursuing silicosis and countertop silica exposure lawsuits. Evaluating these cases may require reviewing medical records, employment histories, workplace exposure information, and the specific engineered stone products involved.
A silicosis diagnosis doesn’t automatically establish a legal claim, but understanding how and where exposure occurred can help determine whether compensation may be available.
Researchers Call for Greater Protection of Countertop Workers
California has strengthened workplace silica regulations and expanded disease reporting requirements in response to the growing number of cases. Other countries have taken more aggressive action. Australia banned the manufacture, supply, and processing of engineered stone countertops in 2024 because of the health risks associated with silica exposure.
The authors of the California report called for stronger surveillance, earlier identification of affected workers, and additional measures to prevent hazardous exposure.
For current and former countertop fabrication workers, the findings show the importance of discussing occupational silica exposure with a healthcare provider, even when respiratory symptoms appear mild.
With hundreds of documented illnesses and dozens of deaths in California alone, the research highlights the potentially life-altering consequences of a workplace hazard that medical experts say is preventable.
Workers diagnosed with silicosis after cutting or fabricating engineered stone countertops may have questions about their legal rights. Those seeking information about potential legal claims can contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith or call 1-800-641-0098 to discuss their circumstances.
