Silicosis Scandal Rocks the Quartz Worktops World
The quartz worktop industry is facing a significant crisis in the form of a fast-brewing silicosis scandal. Silicosis is a deadly lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica dust when making and fitting engineered quartz worktops. The dust, mostly made of crystalline silica, is released when workers sand or cut quartz surfaces.
A study in JAMA Internal Medicine found 52 cases of severe lung disease in worktop makers, with some workers as young as their 20s affected. The quick onset of the disease shows that current safety measures aren’t good enough.
Manufacturers are also taking action. Many companies are looking into other less dangerous materials than quartz, such as granite, marble, and porcelain. The industry is changing as fast as possible, focusing more on education, safety rules, and finding alternative materials. This scandal is likely to change how worktops are made, putting more emphasis on customer safety and using ethically sourced materials.
The Rise of Quartz as the Preferred Worktop Material
Over the last decade, quartz has become the number-one choice for stone worktops in residential and commercial properties. Its meteoric rise in popularity can be attributed to several key factors that made it an appealing alternative to traditional materials like granite and marble.

Aesthetic Appeal and Variety
Quartz is known for its wide range of colours and patterns, which mimic the look of natural stone while offering consistency that natural materials cannot match. This aesthetic versatility makes it suitable for various interior designs, from ultra-modern kitchens to more traditional settings.
Durability and Maintenance
Unlike natural stone, which can be porous and require regular sealing, quartz is engineered to be non-porous and resistant to staining. This characteristic, coupled with its scratch and impact resistance, makes quartz a practical choice for busy kitchens and high-traffic areas. The low maintenance aspect, needing only basic cleaning without unique treatments, adds to its allure.
Cost Effectiveness
While not always cheaper than natural stones, quartz typically offers a better cost-to-durability ratio. Its engineered nature allows for more predictable pricing and availability, making it a cost-effective option for large-scale developments and consumer renovations.
Industry Growth and Accessibility
The quartz industry has grown significantly, with significant manufacturers expanding their operations worldwide. The increased production capacity and widespread availability have made quartz more accessible to a broader audience, further fueling its popularity.
Environmental and Health Concerns
Despite its benefits, the quartz industry faces significant scrutiny due to environmental and health concerns, particularly around the production process. The high silica content of engineered quartz poses serious health risks to workers involved in its cutting and finishing. Recent studies have highlighted cases of silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease, prompting increased regulatory attention and calls for safer manufacturing practices.
As the industry continues to evolve, the focus is shifting towards developing materials that maintain the benefits of quartz while minimising health risks. Innovations like Cosentino’s Hybriq+ technology represent steps towards achieving a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and worker safety.
The Health Crisis Unfolds: Silicosis and the Quartz Industry
The rapidly expanding quartz countertop industry has revealed a troubling health crisis. Silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, is increasingly diagnosed in workers who fabricate and install quartz countertops.

The Invisible Threat of Silica Dust
The leading cause of this crisis is crystalline silica dust. Engineered quartz countertops contain exceptionally high levels of silica, which becomes airborne during fabrication. Workers who are exposed to this dust over time face serious health risks. The disease can develop after months of acute exposure or years of chronic exposure, eventually leading to lung scarring that makes it difficult to breathe. Unlike other diseases, silicosis is irreversible, often requiring home oxygen therapy and even lung transplants for those severely affected​.
Governmental Response and Regulatory Actions
Governments and authorities are responding by looking for stricter rules or even banning engineered quartz altogether. Australia, for instance, has already banned the making and fitting of engineered stone products, and the specifics of this ban are being sorted out. Los Angeles County in California is considering doing the same thing. So far, Britain has resisted calls for an outright ban, citing higher health and safety standards for factory workers, despite recognising it as the second most dangerous material to workers, behind asbestos.
Challenges of Preventative Measures
While safety measures like wet cutting, proper ventilation, and high-quality respirators are used, they have proven insufficient to prevent exposure. Even with strict safety protocols, cases continue to rise due to incomplete implementation and reporting. This health crisis is changing how both consumers and manufacturers view quartz worktops.
Industry Reaction: Towards Safer Practices and Alternatives
In the wake of the silicosis scandal, the quartz countertop industry is scrambling to find safer production practices and alternatives to engineered stone. Manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and designers are all rethinking their strategies in response to the growing health concerns.

Manufacturer Innovation: Cosentino’s Hybriq+ Technology
Cosentino, a leading manufacturer of quartz surfaces, has developed Hybriq+ technology to address these concerns. This technology incorporates a blend of materials with a reduced amount of crystalline silica, using a mixture of recycled materials and sustainable resins to create a product that offers the same aesthetic and functional benefits as quartz but with improved safety. This innovative approach sets a new industry standard, demonstrating that producing high-quality countertops is possible while prioritising worker health.
Emergence of Alternatives
Other manufacturers are also responding by offering workers alternatives to less hazardous quartz. Granite and marble have long been used as more natural alternatives, though they still contain some silica. Conversely, Porcelain has emerged as a promising option that shares quartz’s benefits while being more environmentally friendly and safer to produce.
Georgia-based company MGroup has shifted from quartz to a porcelain-based material called Ultracera, designed to reduce the risk of silica exposure. Other options, such as sintered stone, are also gaining traction, offering high durability and low maintenance without the health hazards of quartz​ (Kitchen & Bath Business)​.
With consumers increasingly conscious of the ethical implications of their choices, companies are beginning to see the competitive advantage in adopting more sustainable and safer practices. The move towards alternatives is set to reshape the industry.
Conclusion: The Future of Quartz Countertops
The silicosis scandal has been a wake-up call for the quartz industry, marking a pivotal moment in how the material is perceived and utilised. Once hailed for its cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, and durability, quartz now faces unprecedented scrutiny due to the health crisis linked to its production. Governments, manufacturers, and consumers are collectively reassessing the role of quartz in modern design.
The growing evidence linking engineered quartz to silicosis has prompted significant changes. From Australia’s total ban on engineered stone to California’s consideration of similar restrictions, it’s clear that the industry is being forced to adapt. Manufacturers like Cosentino have responded proactively with technologies like Hybriq+, striving to reduce silica content and worker exposure. Other companies are shifting towards safer materials like porcelain, sintered stone, and low-silica granite to offer appealing alternatives.

As quartz worktops become synonymous with health risks, they may eventually become as socially unacceptable as smoking. Consumers are increasingly aware of quartz’s hidden costs and seek materials that align with their design preferences and ethical values. The industry’s future lies in its ability to innovate responsibly, balancing the demands for functionality and aesthetics with the imperative of safeguarding worker health.
Ultimately, this scandal will likely reshape the countertops industry. Manufacturers that embrace safer materials and transparent practices will gain consumer trust, while those that resist change may be left behind. The time is now for stakeholders to recognise the urgency and work together to create a sustainable, healthier future for kitchen worktops.