Silicosis and the Quartz Industry: A New Chapter or a Temporary Fix?

In September 2025, Business of Home published a sobering look at the artificial stone industry’s reckoning with accelerated silicosis—a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling nano-sized particles of crystalline silica and other toxins in traditional artificial stone. The article, “Is low-silica stone the path forward for the quartz industry?” spotlights the aftermath of a landmark $52 million verdict awarded to Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, a 34-year-old artificial stone fabricator who required a double lung transplant after years of exposure to toxic crystalline silica and other toxins in artificial stone.

A Shift in Materials—But Is It Enough?

Following the Reyes Gonzalez case and Australia’s nationwide ban on artificial stone, major manufacturers like Caesarstone and Cosentino have introduced “low-“ and so-called “zero-silica” alternatives. According to their advertising, Caesarstone’s new “Icon” line contains less than 1% crystalline silica, while Cosentino’s Q0 surface boasts recycled content and claimed minimal silica levels.

As of this week, California’s Department of Public Health has recorded 391 silicosis cases and 22 deaths linked to artificial stone in California alone. The median age of diagnosis is just 46. These are not isolated incidents—they are a public health crisis.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2026

Engineered stone slabs stacked outside a fabrication shop in Los Angeles. Photo by Semantha Raquel Norris.

Investigative Reporting Examines the Human Cost of Artificial Stone Silicosis

April 16, 2026

Jury Assesses $12.75 Million in Talc-Related Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Case

March 27, 2026

April 3, 2026

The Purpose Behind Global Asbestos Awareness Week

Global Asbestos Awareness Week is led by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a nonprofit focused on preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and legislative reform.

Each year, GAAW emphasizes:

Public education about asbestos risks
Accountability for industries that used asbestos despite known dangers
Stronger enforcement of existing regulations
The need for a complete global ban on all forms of asbestos

While awareness has grown, asbestos exposure remains a modern-day threat—not a historical one.

The 2024 EPA Rule: Progress, but Not a Full Solution

In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule prohibiting the use of chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos still legally imported into the United States.

While this action marked a significant regulatory step, it came with important limitations:

The rule addresses only one type of asbestos
Certain industries may be allowed extended transition periods before full compliance
The regulation is currently subject to legal challenges from industry groups

As a result, asbestos exposure risks have not been eliminated. For many advocates, medical professionals, and affected families, the rule underscores why partial measures are not enough.

Why Advocates Continue to Push for a Complete Asbestos Ban

Asbestos was widely used throughout the 20th century because it was inexpensive, fire-resistant, and durable. By the early 1900s, however, medical evidence was already linking asbestos exposure to serious disease.

Despite this knowledge, asbestos-containing products remained on the market for decades, exposing millions of workers and consumers to a known carcinogen.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to:

Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Asbestosis
Other cancers affecting the chest and abdomen

Today, asbestos-related diseases continue to claim tens of thousands of lives in the United States each year, even though safer alternatives have long been available.

The Myth That Asbestos Is “Already Banned”

One of the most persistent—and dangerous—misconceptions is that asbestos is no longer used.

In reality:

Asbestos is not fully banned in the United States
Many countries around the world still allow asbestos use or importation
Only a portion of the world’s nations have enacted comprehensive bans

As long as asbestos remains part of global supply chains, exposure risks persist—both domestically and internationally.

No Amount of Asbestos Exposure Is Safe

Scientific research has made one fact abundantly clear: there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Even brief or low-level exposure can lead to serious disease. This reality contradicts long-standing industry narratives that attempted to minimize risk or suggest that only heavy exposure was dangerous.

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and durable. Once inhaled or ingested, they can remain in the body permanently, triggering inflammation, scarring, and cancer years—or even many decades—later.

Occupational Exposure: A Hidden Danger for Workers

For generations, many workers were exposed to asbestos without warnings, protective equipment, or training. This was not due to carelessness—it was due to lack of disclosure and corporate concealment.

High-risk occupations historically included:

Construction and demolition trades
Shipyard and Navy service
Oil refineries and power plants
Manufacturing and industrial facilities
Automotive and mechanical work

Modern safety standards now require extensive protections. Unfortunately, these safeguards came too late for many.

Asbestos Exposure Doesn’t Stop at the Jobsite

Asbestos exposure has also affected families.

Before the dangers were widely acknowledged, workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on clothing, shoes, and tools. This secondary exposure has been linked to mesothelioma diagnoses among spouses and children—sometimes decades later.

Because asbestos-related diseases have latency periods of 20 to 50 years, diagnoses can occur at nearly any age.

Asbestos May Still Be Present in Older Homes

Homes and buildings constructed before the 1980s may still contain asbestos in:

Insulation and pipe wrap
Flooring tiles and adhesives
Roofing and siding materials
Textured ceilings and fireproofing

When these materials are disturbed during renovations or repairs, asbestos fibers can become airborne, creating health risks for occupants.

How You Can Participate in Global Asbestos Awareness Week

Global Asbestos Awareness Week is about collective action. Individuals can support the effort by:

Learning where asbestos may still be found
Sharing credible educational resources
Supporting organizations focused on asbestos prevention
Listening to and amplifying the voices of those affected
Encouraging policymakers to pursue comprehensive asbestos bans

Awareness is not symbolic—it is preventative.

Brayton Purcell LLP: Advocating for Those Harmed by Toxic Exposure

Brayton Purcell LLP represents only plaintiffs in cases involving asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, and other toxic exposure-related diseases. We do not represent corporations or insurers.

As Global Asbestos Awareness Week reminds us, education and prevention are critical—but so is accountability. For individuals and families already impacted, the civil justice system remains an essential avenue for answers, resources, and support.

To learn more about asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or your legal options, contact us online or call Brayton Purcell LLP at (800) 361-2417.

FAQs About Global Asbestos Awareness Week

1What is Global Asbestos Awareness Week and why is it important?

Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1–7) is an annual international initiative focused on educating the public about the dangers of asbestos exposure and promoting prevention efforts. The week highlights that asbestos related diseases—such as mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer—are entirely preventable. Awareness is critical because asbestos is still present in older buildings, certain products, and global supply chains, continuing to put workers and families at risk.

2If asbestos is dangerous, why is it still a problem today?

Although the health risks of asbestos have been known for decades, asbestos has not been completely banned in the United States or worldwide. Many older homes, schools, ships, and industrial facilities still contain asbestos containing materials. Additionally, asbestos related diseases often take 20 to 50 years to develop, meaning people exposed long ago may only now be receiving diagnoses. As long as asbestos remains in use or in place, exposure risks persist.

3What legal options are available for people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases?

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos related illnesses may have legal options to pursue compensation from companies responsible for their exposure. These claims can help cover medical expenses, lost income, and provide financial security for families. Because asbestos cases are subject to strict statutes of limitation, it is important to speak with an experienced asbestos attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights.