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.

Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act Introduced in Congress

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A new federal bill aims to expand access to education, screening, diagnosis, and medical care for workers affected by artificial stone silicosis, a serious, irreversible, and fatal lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica.

U.S. Representatives Lou Correa of California and Maxine Dexter, M.D., of Oregon introduced the Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act on October 14, 2026. The legislation would establish a federal grant program to help healthcare facilities provide silicosis education, screening, treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, and coordinated patient care.

Silicosis and Artificial Stone

Silicosis develops when respirable crystalline silica particles enter the lungs and cause inflammation and scarring. The resulting lung damage is permanent and significantly impairs a person's ability to breathe.

Workers who fabricate artificial stone countertops face particularly concentrated exposure to silica dust. Artificial stone is at least 90% crystalline silica. The remaining material contains highly toxic dyes, resins and heavy metals that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Cutting, grinding, or polishing the material releases nano-sized, high-surface area silica particles into the air. When inhaled, these particles lodge deeply in the lungs, causing inflammation and permanent scarring.

California has emerged as an important focus of the artificial stone silicosis problem. The bill's introduction calls particular attention to Orange County, where numerous cases have been identified among workers involved in countertop fabrication.

Rep. Correa described the human impact behind the proposed legislation:

“No worker should lose their ability to breathe because of the job they do to support their family.”

Expanding Access to Silicosis Care

The Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act would make federal grants available to healthcare facilities for programs addressing multiple stages of the disease, including:

Silicosis outreach and education

Screening and diagnosis

Medical treatment

Patient and family education

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Patient care and care coordination

Rep. Dexter, a physician and pulmonologist, emphasized the importance of reaching people who may be at risk:

“As a pulmonologist, I know the devastating impacts of lung disease. As cases rapidly increase, it is critical that we are educating those that are most at risk for this irreversible disease.”

Because lung damage caused by silicosis cannot be reversed, earlier recognition and appropriate medical care can be especially important for people who have been exposed to high levels of respirable crystalline silica.

Silicosis and Legal Rights

The proposed legislation highlights growing concern about artificial stone silicosis among people who have worked in the artificial stone countertop fabrication industry.

People diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis may also have legal rights related to the products responsible for their exposure. Those rights depend on factors including the products involved, the nature and duration of exposure, medical history, and applicable state law.

Brayton Purcell LLP is an experienced law firm representing individuals and families affected by occupational diseases, including artificial stone silicosis. If you have been diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis or other silica-related diseases after working with artificial stone, an attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your exposure and explain the legal options that may be available.

FAQs

1What is artificial stone silicosis?

Artificial stone silicosis is a preventable, progressive, incurable, and fatal lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust generated during artificial stone fabrication. There is no cure.

2Why are artificial stone workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust?

Artificial stone is at least 90% respirable crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, and polishing artificial stone creates nano-sized, high-surface-area respirable crystalline silica dust, which workers inhale during fabrication.

3What is the Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act?

The Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act is proposed federal legislation intended to expand resources for silicosis education, screening, diagnosis, treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, and coordinated patient care.

4How would the legislation help artificial stone workers?

The legislation would establish a federal grant program supporting healthcare services such as screening, diagnosis, medical treatment, patient and family education, pulmonary rehabilitation, and care coordination. These resources are particularly important for artificial stone workers already confronting silicosis.

5Why is the legislation important for California artificial stone workers?

California has become a major focus of the artificial stone silicosis crisis, including cases among countertop fabrication workers in Orange County. Expanded access to knowledgeable medical care, screening, pulmonary rehabilitation, and coordinated care is especially important because artificial stone silicosis is progressive, incurable, and fatal.

6Do artificial stone workers diagnosed with silicosis have legal rights?

Yes. Workers diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis may have legal rights related to the artificial stone products involved in their exposure. The legal options available depend on the facts of each case, including the products involved, exposure history, medical history, and applicable state law.