Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act Introduced in Congress
October 16, 2026
Physicians and medical students gathered in Orlando for the American Medical Association’s Interim Meeting adopted a series of new policies focused on public health and safety. Among the issues addressed were lung disease associated with artificial stone countertop fabrication, unapproved synthetic peptides, sunscreen regulations, and safety concerns involving electric bicycles and scooters.
Of particular importance to workers who fabricate countertops, the AMA adopted policy supporting a prohibition on artificial stone, also known as engineered stone, and similar products containing more than 1% crystalline silica. According to the AMA press release, the policy also opposes the manufacturing, importing, distribution, sale, fabrication, and installation of these products across the United States.
For workers who have fabricated artificial stone countertops, and for the physicians treating them, the AMA's action represents another important acknowledgment of the severe health consequences associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust created during artificial stone fabrication.
The announcement comes as physicians, researchers, public health authorities, and affected families continue to confront artificial stone silicosis across the United States.
James Nevin, partner and trial attorney at Brayton Purcell LLP said, “The AMA’s action is an important acknowledgment of what physicians, researchers, affected workers, and their families have been confronting for years. The devastating cases of artificial stone silicosis associated with countertop fabrication underscore the urgency of recognizing the extraordinary dangers associated with these products.”
What Is Artificial Stone?
Artificial stone, also commonly called engineered stone or manufactured stone, is a manufactured material widely used for kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Artificial stone slabs are made of at least 90% respirable crystalline silica. The remaining approximately 10% consists of highly toxic dyes, resins, and heavy metals.
When artificial stone is fabricated, including when it is cut, ground, or polished, fabrication creates nano-sized, high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica dust. The approximately 10% consisting of highly toxic dyes, resins, and heavy metals, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during fabrication.
These exposures have become an increasingly serious concern because of the severe illnesses diagnosed among people who have worked fabricating artificial stone slabs.
Artificial Stone Silicosis Is an Incurable Disease
Artificial stone silicosis is caused by inhalation of nano-sized respirable crystalline silica particles. The particles travel deep into the lungs, where they cause inflammation and scarring that inhibits the lungs' ability to function.
Artificial stone silicosis is preventable, progressive, incurable, and fatal. There is no cure.
The disease continues to progress even after exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust has ended. Individuals with advanced disease experience severe difficulty breathing and significant limitations on their daily lives. In the most advanced cases, patients are evaluated for lung transplantation.
The seriousness of these diagnoses makes the AMA's decision to address artificial stone particularly significant.
Why the AMA's Artificial Stone Policy Matters
The AMA’s newly adopted policy goes beyond raising awareness about artificial stone silicosis. According to the organization’s press release, the AMA supports prohibiting the use of artificial stone countertops and similar products containing more than 1% crystalline silica.
The AMA also opposes the manufacturing, importing, distribution, sale, fabrication, and installation of artificial stone products containing more than 1% crystalline silica throughout the United States.
In announcing the policy, the AMA specifically pointed to increasing cases of silicosis among countertop fabricators around the world.
As Sheila Rege, MD, FASTRO, an AMA Board Member and board-certified radiation oncologist, stated in the AMA press release: “Workers are developing an incurable lung disease that can progress to respiratory failure and sometimes, death, often at a young age among workers. Silicosis is preventable, and the most effective way to prevent silicosis is to use safer countertop materials containing less than 1% crystalline silica with appropriate dust control measures.”
The AMA also called for strengthening silicosis surveillance, improving access to screening and medical care, and advancing what it describes as “higher-order prevention strategies” related to artificial stone countertops.
The significance of the announcement extends beyond the countertop industry itself. The AMA represents physicians throughout the United States, and its newly adopted policy places artificial stone silicosis squarely within a broader national discussion about preventing a progressive, incurable, and fatal occupational lung disease for which there is no cure.
By adopting policy addressing artificial stone, the AMA is bringing additional medical attention to a disease that is affecting countertop fabrication workers and their families. In California alone, as of November 5th, 2026, there have been 684 confirmed cases of artificial stone silicosis since 2019, with 35 deaths, 75 lung transplants and another 53 patients referred for lung transplants. The median age of diagnosis is 46 years old and median age at death is 52. Cal/OSHA is currently in the process of banning the manufacturing, fabrication and selling of artificial stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica.
For physicians, greater awareness can be particularly important because a patient's occupational history, including whether that person has fabricated artificial stone countertops, provides important context when evaluating respiratory symptoms.
For workers and their families, the AMA's action provides further recognition of the severe health consequences associated with artificial stone fabrication.
The AMA's announcement adds to growing recognition of the serious disease associated with artificial stone and the importance of identifying affected workers.
Diagnosed With Silicosis After Fabricating Artificial Stone?
Brayton Purcell LLP has extensive experience representing individuals and families affected by toxic exposures and occupational diseases.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with silicosis after cutting, grinding, polishing, or otherwise fabricating artificial stone countertops, contact Brayton Purcell LLP to discuss your circumstances and learn more about your legal options.
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To read the full AMA press release, click here.