On September 16, 2026, California's Department of Industrial Relations published a draft emergency rule to ban artificial stone countertops (1).
Due a sharp rise in silicosis cases in California, health officials, workers, and their family members pressed for a ban against engineered stone countertops to limit harmful silica dust exposure. More than 644 individuals in the state, primarily workers in the industry, have contracted an aggressive form of silicosis after consistent inhalation of toxic crystalline silica produced by artificial stone countertops (2). 35 of those workers have died.
State ban on engineered stone in progress
On May 21, 2026, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) voted unanimously to grant petition and initiate the process of banning the production of artificial stone containing more than 1% of crystalline silica.
The vote follows a petition first issued by the Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association (WOEMA), reflecting growing concerns within local communities. More than 600 healthcare providers were present during the voting, speaking out against industry silica exposure (3).
When artificial stone countertops are cut and sanded for polished products, airborne crystalline silica particles are typically released, compromising health and air quality.
Since 2022, artificial stone employees in California have undergone a total of 58 lung transplants, with many patients' health deteriorating past the point of medical operation. Cases of silicosis are rising rapidly as well, with an expected 1,000 cases projected for the next two years within the artificial stone industry due to excessive silica exposure and unregulated policies.
What is silica dust?
Silica dust consists of the compound silicon dioxide and is a mineral typically found within Earth's crust (4). Crystalline silica occurs when silicon dioxide particles crystalize, with some artificial stone countertops containing up to 95% of crystalline silica. These particles can easily impact personal respiratory health, becoming airborne through construction and hands-on work, such as (5):
- Demolition work
- Stonemasonry
- Active construction
- Sand blasting
- Cement finishing
- Manufacturing building materials
If prolonged, airborne exposure with silica particles occurs, chronic health risks and respiratory symptoms could increase, developing into worsening medical conditions. Multiple studies have linked crystalline silica dust exposure to numerous chronic respiratory conditions, including lung cancer, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (6).
What is silicosis?
Silicosis is the most common associated health risk with crystalline silica dust exposures, with 644 confirmed cases in California among the artificial stone industry as of September 10, 2026. Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis and causes respiratory symptoms alongside long-term health conditions.
Silicosis typically occurs after 15-20 years of occupational exposure to crystalline silica, often resulting in additional health complications, severe cases of disability, and even death. The disease can also directly impact personal immune systems, leading to increased risks for lung infections, such as tuberculosis.
To prevent silicosis and harmful silica dust exposure, systematic changes in workplace regulations and clean air policies can help stop silica particles from becoming a health concern.
Pathways to silica reduction and regulations
In OSHSB's unanimous decision, the first steps of the process require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) scientific advisory committees to create reformed regulations and guidelines around silica dust protection. The Board also requested emergency reports and findings from CAL/OSHA to support expedited policy enforcement.
However, with no exact ruling date or timeline of the new ban implementation, silica dust remains unregulated, with increasing amounts of workers exposed to crystalline silica every passing day.
As the ban awaits proper processing, air quality awareness and company-wide policy enforcement can be impactful for those in the artificial stone industry. Crystalline silica dust exposure has life-long health effects, and refined workplace environments can help reduce inhalation until statewide policies are in place.
Conclusion
From construction to manufacturing, airborne silica dust can appear anywhere and degrade health without individuals knowing. California communities recognize the harmful impacts of long-term crystalline silica exposure and are taking steps to ensure silicosis cases can be reduced within the artificial stone industry.
As statewide policies are still pending, personal air quality awareness and reformed company policies can be impactful modes of prevention. However, for comprehensive elimination of silica dust in workplaces, state regulated laws are the most influential and are still awaiting finalization for the artificial stone ban.
