30 California silicosis deaths linked to quartz countertops: report

Key Points:

• A new California study reveals a sharp increase in silicosis cases, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust from quartz countertops, rising from 31 cases in 2019 to 631 recently, with many patients requiring lung transplants.
• Most victims are male workers, predominantly in Los Angeles County, with a median age of 52; the disease has led to 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants over the past eight years.
• Quartz countertops contain significantly higher silica levels than natural stone, and the growing demand for this engineered stone has been linked to the surge in silicosis cases among workers involved in manufacturing and installation.
• California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has reported poor compliance with emergency safety standards, finding 94% of inspected shops in violation, and is moving toward a complete ban on quartz countertop work to protect workers.
• The report's authors and public health experts support the proposed ban, citing the availability of safer alternatives and warning that continued commercial availability could push unsafe practices underground.