The Deadly Cost of Artificial Stone: Fabrication Workers Face Accelerated Silicosis Epidemic as Industry Scrambles for Safer Alternatives

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NOVATO, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The sleek, modern quartz countertops that have become a staple of American homes are hiding a deadly secret. Hundreds of workers responsible for cutting and fabricating these fashionable artificial stone countertops are falling ill with acceleration silicosis, a fatal and incurable lung disease caused by inhaling toxic, nano-sized particles of silica dust and other toxins. 

Medical experts and safety advocates warn that artificial stone silicosis is a growing epidemic, one that mirrors the asbestos crisis of the past century. The disease is irreversible and, with many victims requiring double lung transplants just to survive a few more years. 

• Over 300 cases of silicosis have been confirmed in California countertop workers. 
• At least 14 workers have died, and 26 have undergone lung transplants. 
• Most victims are Hispanic immigrants in their 30s and 40s. 
• Experts warn that a majority of artificial stone countertop fabrication workers could develop the disease. 

A Preventable Tragedy: Workers Left in the Dark
Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonologist at UCLA who has treated many silicosis patients, has described the current situation as "worse than black lung in coal miners." She explains: 

"These are young, otherwise healthy men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who should have decades of life ahead of them. Instead, they're left gasping for breath, tied to oxygen tanks, waiting for lung transplants that may not even be available in time." 

Many of these workers were never warned about the risks of working with artificial stone, despite manufacturers knowing for decades that cutting artificial stone quartz releases exceptionally dangerous levels of silica dust. 

Attorney James Nevin, whose firm, Brayton Purcell LLP, represents many hundreds of affected workers, emphasizes the magnitude of the crisis: 

"We're seeing a 92% prevalence rate among artificial stone countertop fabrication workers. Most of them will develop silicosis —this is just the tip of the iceberg. Manufacturers knew about the risks but continued to market these products as safe. Now, workers are paying the price with their lives." 

Groundbreaking Lawsuits: Workers Fight Back
The legal battle over engineered stone is gaining momentum. In a landmark case, Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, a 34-year-old former stonecutter in California, received a verdict of more than $52 million after a jury found engineered stone manufacturers responsible for his silicosis illness. 

Reyes Gonzalez, who worked for over a decade cutting stone slabs, developed complex silicosis, requiring a double lung transplant. His legal team believes his case is just the beginning: 

"This is the first of many hundreds, if not thousands, of cases. Manufacturers failed to warn workers, failed to implement safety measures, and now workers are dying because of it." 

Hundreds of additional lawsuits have been filed by workers and their families, alleging that engineered stone companies knowingly marketed a deadly product without proper safety warnings. 

California's Legislative Response: It Is Not Enough
As the crisis deepens, California lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 20, aimed at curbing the dangers of silica exposure. The bill proposes: 

• Certification requirements for stone fabrication shops.
• A ban on dry-cutting, a major contributor to silica dust exposure. 
• Mandatory safety training and inspections for compliance. 

However, many experts argue that regulations alone are not enough — a full ban on artificial stone is necessary. Australia has already taken this step, banning most artificial stone products due to the overwhelming evidence of their dangers. 

Representative Luz Rivas, who has been pushing for stricter laws, warns: 

"If these so-called 'low-silica' alternatives continue to cause an uptick in silicosis cases, then we need to consider a full ban. Right now, California's approach is essentially using workers as guinea pigs." 

The Industry's Response: New "Safer" Countertops?
Amid mounting lawsuits and the risk of a broader ban, artificial stone manufacturers are now scrambling to create so called "safer" alternatives. Companies like Cosentino and Caesarstone have begun marketing so called "low-silica" products with: 

• 40% or less crystalline silica (compared to 90%+ in traditional engineered stone). 
• Some slabs with less than 1% crystalline silica, using alternative materials like recycled glass. 

However, experts remain skeptical about whether these new materials are truly safe. Dr. Robert Harrison, an occupational medicine specialist at UC San Francisco, warns: 

"The jury is still out on whether these 'low-silica' products are completely safe. They're probably safer than the high-silica engineered stone currently on the market, but we need more research before we can call them a real solution." 

Similarly, Dr. Ryan Hoy from Monash University in Australia points out that crystalline silica is not the only hazard in engineered stone. Some of these new products contain other potentially toxic materials, such as aluminum, resins, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which could pose additional risks to workers. 

"It's enough to raise questions about whether they are actually much safer." 

What Comes Next? A Potential Ban on Artificial Stone
With Australia leading the way by banning artificial stone, other countries—including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom —are now looking at similar measures. 

Workplace safety expert Jenny Houlroyd from Georgia Tech opines that even the best safety measures may not be enough to protect workers: 

"Wet cutting and respirators help, but they don't eliminate the risk. The only way to truly prevent artificial stone silicosis is to stop using engineered stone altogether." 

Seeking Justice for Silicosis Victims
At Brayton Purcell LLP, we have over 40 years of experience representing workers suffering from toxic exposure diseases, including asbestos-related mesothelioma and artificial stone silicosis . 

We are actively representing countertop fabrication workers and their families in legal actions against artificial stone manufacturers and suppliers. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options. 

Contact:

• Brayton Purcell LLP – *(800) 598-0314* 
• [braytonlaw.com](https://www.braytonlaw.com)
• [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

About Brayton Purcell LLP
Brayton Purcell LLP is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in toxic exposure and workplace injury cases. With decades of experience, we are committed to securing justice for workers suffering from artificial stone silicosis, mesothelioma, and other occupational diseases. 

SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP