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California considers landmark ban on quartz countertops
Cleveland.com • • health
Key Points:
- California is poised to become the first state to ban the production and installation of engineered quartz countertops containing more than 1% crystalline silica due to health concerns, with a vote expected in October by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
- Engineered quartz is popular for its durability and cost-effectiveness, but cutting and shaping the material releases silica particles that can cause silicosis, a serious lung disease that can lead to severe respiratory issues and even require lung transplants.
- Hundreds of countertop workers in California have been diagnosed with silicosis in recent years, with dozens of deaths reported, particularly among employees of small fabrication shops.
- Advocates for the ban argue that current safety regulations are insufficient to protect workers, while industry representatives claim that safe use is possible and that the issue lies with fabrication practices rather than the quartz material itself.
