California Moves Toward Possible Ban on Engineered Stone (Quartz) Countertops
Dr. Robert Blink presents a petition to ban engineered stone to the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board on March 19. (Photo by Semantha Raquel Norris/Capital & Main)
This article was produced by Capital & Main and is published here with permission.
California is on track to potentially become the first state in the U.S. to ban the sale and installation of engineered stone, commonly known as quartz, as regulators work to address a serious silicosis epidemic affecting stone fabrication workers.
According to the California Department of Public Health, the occupational lung disease has killed 30 fabrication workers and sickened more than 550 in the state since 2019.
A new state law that took effect January 1 introduced stricter safety rules for shops that cut, grind, and polish engineered stone used in kitchen and bathroom countertops. However, many health experts argue these measures do not go far enough to protect workers from fatal outcomes.
Petition for a Full Ban
In December, the Western Occupational & Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA) filed a petition calling for a ban on engineered stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica. The group, which represents occupational medicine physicians and health/safety experts across seven Western states, urged California to follow Australia’s lead. Australia became the first country to ban engineered stone in 2024 after facing a similar public health crisis.
The proposal has received support from medical experts, public health officials, and workers, but it faces strong opposition from parts of the stone industry. Manufacturers have raised concerns about increased costs and the need to transition to alternative materials.
The final decision now rests with the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board — a seven-member, governor-appointed panel responsible for setting workplace standards in the state. The board is expected to hold a public hearing later this month in Los Angeles to determine whether to advance or reject the proposed ban.
A Growing Public Health Concern
Occupational medicine experts emphasize the urgency of the situation.
“While we wait, while we talk about it, people are getting sick and dying,” said Dr. Robert Blink, an occupational medicine physician and former president of WOEMA. He called on regulators to act quickly “to stop future exposure and prevent more cases.”
Fabrication workers can inhale fine crystalline silica dust when cutting or polishing engineered stone slabs. This dust scars the lungs, leading to severe and often irreversible breathing problems. In California, this workforce consists largely of young Latino men, including many undocumented immigrants.
At JM Construction, we prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved in our projects — from our team and partners to the homeowners we serve. We will continue to monitor developments on this important issue closely.
As the conversation around engineered stone safety evolves, we remain committed to offering high-quality, durable countertop options while staying informed about emerging health and regulatory standards.
Source: Times of San Diego