California Moves to Ban New Quartz Countertops Over Silica Dust Risk

California is moving to ban new quartz countertops, putting one of the most popular kitchen and bathroom surfaces at the center of a health debate. The concern is silica dust. Quartz is an engineered stone made mostly of crushed quartz bound together with resin, and it can contain more than 90 percent crystalline silica. When it is cut, polished or ground, it releases fine dust that can settle deep in the lungs.

Breathing that dust over time can cause silicosis, an incurable scarring disease of the lungs that can progress to respiratory failure. Public health researchers and medical groups have tracked a rise in cases among fabricators and installers, many of whom work in small shops with limited ventilation and inconsistent protective equipment. Lung disease among stone workers has become a major focus for regulators, who see the problem as a workplace hazard first.

Because the greatest exposure happens during fabrication and installation, the policy is aimed at protecting the people who handle the material. Countertops that are already installed in homes are not the focus of the proposal.

Quartz remains popular because it is durable, non-porous and available in many colors and patterns. A ban would narrow the choices for builders and homeowners, and it would push fabricators toward other materials. Industry groups and manufacturers are likely to watch closely how the rules define the covered products and what replaces them.