California reports nearly 600 silicosis cases among engineered-stone countertop workers
A California health department report identified 592 confirmed silicosis cases, 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants among workers handling engineered-stone countertops, prompting warnings about silica dust exposure nationwide.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a report covering cases from January 2019 through June 2026 that documented 592 confirmed instances of silicosis among workers who cut, grind, polish or install engineered-stone countertops. The disease, which is incurable and caused by inhaling fine crystalline silica dust, has resulted in at least 31 deaths and 65 lung transplants, the agency said.
Engineered stone can contain more than 90 percent crystalline silica, and the cutting and grinding processes generate respirable dust that can become lodged deep in the lungs, leading to inflammation, scarring and permanent damage. Symptoms include persistent cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain, though the condition can develop without obvious signs.
"Given the hundreds of diagnosed cases of silicosis in California, there are likely thousands of more cases across the country," said David Michaels, a co-author of the report and a professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.
The CDPH noted that most affected workers are relatively young immigrant men, many from Mexico and Central America, and that many cases involved inadequate dust controls and delayed diagnosis. Federal agencies such as NIOSH and OSHA have updated hazard alerts and recommend controls including wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation, enclosures and, where necessary, respiratory protection.
Health officials advise workers with a history of cutting or polishing stone countertops to inform their doctors of their occupational exposure, even in the absence of symptoms, and to seek medical evaluation if respiratory issues arise. Employers are urged to implement dust-suppression measures to reduce the risk of silica exposure.
The California outbreak is the largest known cluster in the United States, but similar cases have been reported in other states, underscoring a broader occupational health concern.