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.

2026 Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Consensus

Bar graph showing percentage distribution of patients by surgical type—a valuable resource for patients and families considering Mesothelioma treatment. Decortication and parietal pleurectomy is highest at 44%, with other types ranging from 0.1% to 14.9%. Data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database will help inform care decisions in line with 2026 recommendations.

New Mesothelioma Treatment Recommendations Released in 2026: What Patients and Families Should Know

July 21, 2026

A digital illustration shows blue antibodies, such as Amivantamab, binding to EGFR receptors on a cell surface, with glowing highlights suggesting a biological or immune response process relevant to conditions like Mesothelioma.

Amivantamab Shows Preclinical Immune-Mediated Activity in Mesothelioma Through Dual EGFR and MET Targeting

July 15, 2026

July 17, 2026

The Importance of Multidisciplinary Mesothelioma Care

One of the report’s key messages is that pleural mesothelioma should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in mesothelioma care. Treatment decisions should involve specialists from multiple fields to ensure that patients receive individualized care based on their disease characteristics and overall health status. The panel also emphasizes the importance of obtaining adequate tissue biopsies and performing comprehensive staging, including CT and PET imaging scans, before treatment decisions are made.

A Multimodal Approach to Treatment

The consensus strategy strongly supports a multimodal treatment approach, meaning that surgery, when appropriate, should be combined with other therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy rather than used alone. Importantly, the panel concluded that surgery continues to have a role for carefully selected patients despite ongoing debate surrounding its benefits.

Lung-Sparing Surgery for Selected Patients

Among patients considered candidates for surgery, the panel favors lung-sparing procedures such as pleurectomy/decortication and extended pleurectomy/decortication over extrapleural pneumonectomy, which involves removal of a whole lung. The greatest potential benefit appears to occur in patients with epithelioid mesothelioma, localized disease, good performance status, and adequate cardiopulmonary function.

Overall, this consensus statement reinforces the importance of expert, multidisciplinary, and individualized care while providing a contemporary framework for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.

Legal Options for Patients and Families Affected by Asbestos

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, understanding your medical and legal options is important. Brayton Purcell LLP represents individuals and families affected by asbestos-related diseases and can help you evaluate whether exposure to asbestos may be connected to your diagnosis. Contact our team today for a free, confidential case review.

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FAQs

1What is pleural mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. It is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.

2What does multimodal treatment mean for pleural mesothelioma?

Multimodal treatment means using a combination of therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, rather than relying on one treatment alone.

3Why is a multidisciplinary team important for mesothelioma care?

A multidisciplinary team brings together specialists from different medical fields to help create an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s diagnosis, staging, health status, and treatment goals.