Workers who cut and polish kitchen countertops made from engineered stone face a serious health risk that can lead to a deadly lung disease called silicosis. This synthetic material, often sold under the name quartz, is made from up to 95% ground quartz mixed with resins and pigments. The process of shaping these countertops releases tiny particles that workers breathe in, leading to lung damage over time.
In California alone, more than five hundred workers have been diagnosed with silicosis from this exposure. At least a hundred of those workers required lung transplants, and more than thirty have died since 2019.
Experts say this surge in cases is a public health emergency, but it’s largely invisible outside of California. Most states do not track the number of silicosis cases, which makes it hard to see how widespread the problem is.
The material has become very popular for kitchen countertops because it’s more durable and often cheaper than marble. But the same qualities that make it attractive for home use also make it dangerous for workers.
Workers who handle this material are at risk of developing silicosis, a condition that has no cure and can lead to cancer and other serious diseases. Studies show that a significant number of exposed workers develop the disease, and treating it can cost millions per person.
Many of the affected workers don’t have access to proper healthcare, which makes their situation worse. Some companies sell countertops made from crushed glass instead of quartz, which is less harmful to workers.
However, most consumers are not aware that these safer options exist. Major stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s still sell crystalline silica products as of June 2026.
Ikea stopped selling engineered stone countertops in 2025, but many others continue to do so. Lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers and sellers of these countertops due to the health risks they pose.
Some early cases were settled out of court, but one trial resulted in a $52 million award for a worker who underwent a double lung transplant. The problem is not limited to the United States, as similar cases of silicosis have been reported in other countries.
Countries like Spain and Israel saw workers affected by the same material used in countertops. In Spain, a company owner was sentenced for hiding the dangers of working with engineered stone.
As sales grew globally, cases of silicosis appeared in Australia, Great Britain, China, and Taiwan. Britain responded by banning dry cutting of engineered stone and planning inspections of fabrication shops.
Australia took stronger steps, eventually banning the importation of products with high levels of crystalline silica. Some manufacturers now sell countertops made from crushed glass instead to comply with new regulations.
California has also adopted stricter rules for handling engineered stone in the workplace. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to limited resources and legal loopholes.
Manufacturers are pushing for national laws that would shield them from lawsuits, which could prevent stronger protections. Experts warn that without action, thousands of workers will continue to be exposed to dangerous dust.
Meanwhile, the timing of seasonal disease outbreaks has shifted since the start of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, respiratory infections like flu and RSV typically peaked in late winter or early spring.
After lockdowns and social distancing, the usual seasonal surge was reduced or skipped entirely. Once infections returned, they began to peak earlier in the year.
Researchers found that this early surge happened because immunity levels dropped during the gap. This change also affected deaths from cardiovascular disease, which tend to rise with respiratory infections.
The findings suggest that public health officials should monitor infection history and improve vaccination efforts. Another concern is the growing number of Americans with high blood pressure who are not receiving treatment.
A new set of guidelines from the American Heart Association introduces a tool called PREVENT to assess risk. This tool, PREVENT, considers factors like kidney and metabolic health, which were previously underappreciated.
According to the updated guidelines, millions of Americans are now eligible for blood pressure medications. Yet 43% of those who qualify are not taking the drugs, according to a national survey.
If more people took these medications, up to 200,000 deaths could be prevented over the next ten years. People on treatment had a lower risk of dying from any cause and especially from heart-related problems.
Experts say lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are important, but medication is also crucial for those at risk. They emphasize the need for better access to treatment and more awareness among both doctors and patients.
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