A new report published in NEJM Evidence has brought to light a rapidly escalating public health crisis: a silicosis epidemic among workers fabricating engineered stone, commonly known as quartz, countertops. Between January 2019 and June 2026, researchers identified 592 confirmed cases of the incurable lung disease in California alone. The data, which underscores the severe occupational risks associated with the material, recorded 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths within the study period.
Silicosis is caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust, which is released during the cutting, grinding, and polishing of quartz products. Engineered stone often contains over 90% crystalline silica, making it significantly more hazardous than natural stone. Co-authored by former OSHA assistant secretary David Michaels and experts from the California Department of Public Health, the study indicates that patients are being diagnosed at younger ages and are experiencing faster disease progression than previously documented.
Despite recent regulatory tightening in California, the report warns that the true scope of the crisis is likely much larger, with many cases remaining undiagnosed. The authors point to Australia’s recent nationwide ban on engineered stone as a potential policy model, arguing that the health risks outweigh the material’s popularity. They are now urging healthcare providers to integrate occupational exposure screening into routine check-ups and calling for a coordinated national surveillance effort to prevent further fatalities.