Nearly 600 California workers have developed silicosis after cutting and fabricating quartz countertops, according to a new California Department of Public Health report published on August 12.
Officials identified 592 cases among countertop fabrication workers, including 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths, occurring between January 2019 and June 2026. Experts warned that the true number of cases may be higher, as many workers are diagnosed late or not diagnosed at all.
Quartz, also known as engineered stone, can contain very high levels of silica. When it is cut, shaped, or polished, it can release fine dust that workers may inhale, leading to irreversible lung damage. California health officials say silicosis is incurable and can lead to disability or death.
Silicosis has long been associated with jobs such as mining, quarrying, foundry work, and sandblasting. But the California cases show how even making a kitchen countertop can be deadly. Click on to learn more about silicosis, its symptoms, and the industries most at risk.