California has reported nearly 600 instances of silicosis, a severe lung disease, among workers involved in fabricating engineered-stone countertops since early 2019, according to a recent public health report.
The California Department of Public Health released these findings on Wednesday in NEJM Evidence. The report details that 592 cases were recorded, including 31 fatalities and 65 individuals who required lung transplants.
“Silicosis is a progressive, incurable fibrotic lung disease caused by inhalation of respirable crystalline silica,” the report states. “Over the past two decades, a growing risk has been recognized among workers fabricating crystalline silica-containing engineered stone countertops.
Engineered-stone slabs, commonly known as quartz countertops, contain at least 90% crystalline silica. Workers face exposure during the cutting or finishing processes associated with these countertops.
The report highlights that the cases identified from January 2019 to June 2026 involved patients who were relatively young, had brief exposure durations, and experienced rapid disease progression, according to health officials.
Specifically, the median age for diagnosis was 46, while those who succumbed to silicosis had a median age of 52. The majority diagnosed were men, and 98% of them identified as Latino, the report shows.
California’s surveillance program has evolved since discovering its first known case in 2019 involving a countertop fabricator. This worker was diagnosed at age 32 and unfortunately passed away from respiratory failure at age 38, as noted in the report.
While California has made strides in enhancing silica regulations and surveillance measures, challenges in enforcing workplace safety standards still exist. The report mentions, “Despite these interventions, hazardous worker exposures persist in California.” Although the surveillance for silicosis has broadened, the actual extent of the disease might be underestimated due to reliance on passive reporting of diagnosed cases. Active screening has improved with heightened awareness among workers and clinicians, yet inconsistencies in screening and frequent misdiagnoses are still prevalent.
