Key facts
- Engineered quartz contains upwards of 90% crystalline silica.
- Inhaling fine silica dust during fabrication can cause silicosis, an irreversible lung condition.
- Hundreds of workers have been diagnosed with fatal lung diseases linked to silica dust exposure.
- California's potential ban is prompting a shift to materials like sintered stone, porcelain, and natural stone.
- The transition involves costs for retraining, new equipment, and consumer education.
California is considering a ban on engineered quartz surfaces due to the health risks posed to workers who fabricate the material. The potential regulation, driven by a public health crisis involving hundreds of documented cases of silicosis, is prompting contractors and retailers to seek alternatives. Engineered quartz, which can contain over 90% crystalline silica, releases hazardous dust when cut or ground. The state's move could reshape the countertop market, pushing the industry toward safer materials like sintered stone, porcelain, and natural stone.