California Safety Board to Vote on Banning High-Silica Quartz Countertop Material
Similar Articles
U.S. Trade Commission Recommends Tariffs on Imported Quartz
Supreme Court Weighs Federal vs. State Authority on Pesticide Warning Labels
California Officials Work to Stabilize Overheated Chemical Tank, 40,000 Under Evacuation
MIT Study Finds Children May Face Higher Cancer Risk from NDMA Exposure
Fire Department Tests Sound-Based Fire Suppression System for Homes
A California workplace safety board will vote on May 21 on a potential ban on cutting high-silica quartz countertop material. This follows the tracking of over 550 sickened countertop workers in the state and a growing national recognition of silicosis cases linked to the industry. Federal inspectors have found widespread safety violations in the industry.
Facts First
- California's workplace safety board will vote May 21 on a potential ban on cutting high-silica quartz.
- Over 550 countertop workers in California have been sickened, with more than 30 deaths and over 50 lung transplants reported.
- Federal OSHA inspections found safety violations in over 400 workplaces, with 20% of silica samples exceeding exposure limits.
- An estimated 100,000 people work in the U.S. countertop industry, and studies in Australia found lung disease in over ten percent of its workforce.
- Manufactured quartz contains higher levels of silica than granite or marble, posing a greater health risk when cut without proper controls.
What Happened
California's workplace safety board is scheduled to vote on May 21 regarding a potential ban on cutting high-silica quartz countertop material. This follows the state's tracking of over 550 sickened countertop workers, most of whom are Hispanic men, with over 30 deaths and more than 50 lung transplants reported. Nationally, an estimated 100,000 people work in the countertop industry. In 2023, the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) started a targeted inspection program for the industry, which has inspected over 400 countertop workplaces in at least 25 states. During these inspections, approximately 20% of airborne silica samples exceeded the permissible exposure limit. OSHA inspectors issued over 75 citations for lack of medical surveillance of workers.
Why this Matters to You
If you are considering new countertops, this story highlights a significant occupational health issue tied to the fabrication of a popular material. The potential California ban could influence the availability and cost of quartz countertops, as it may push fabricators to adopt more expensive safety measures or shift to alternative materials. For workers in the industry, the findings underscore a critical need for proper safety equipment and medical monitoring. The widespread nature of the problem suggests this is not an isolated issue but a systemic risk in the trade.
What's Next
The California safety board's vote on May 21 could set a precedent for other states considering similar regulations on high-silica materials. The outcome of this vote may also influence ongoing litigation, such as the lawsuit filed by Florida worker Wade Hanicker against the makers and distributors of quartz slabs. Federal OSHA's targeted inspection program is likely to continue, which could lead to more citations and potentially drive industry-wide changes in safety practices. Furthermore, the voluntary registry created by Dr. Cecile Rose and colleagues may help build a clearer national picture of the disease's prevalence and guide future public health responses.