Silicosis

There has been a sharp rise in silicosis cases in the U.S., primarily in California, among quartz countertop workers. As of August 12, 2026, there have been 618 confirmed countertop-worker silicosis cases and 31 deaths in California, according to the state’s Engineered Stone (ES) Silicosis Dashboard.

Other states have seen silicosis cases too, but California has the most detailed tracking information. The state also made silicosis a reportable disease in 2025, meaning that medical providers have to report silicosis cases.

Two countertop workers who filed silicosis lawsuits in California have been awarded millions in jury verdicts. A California jury awarded more than $52 million to former stone fabricator Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez in his lawsuit against Cambria, Caesarstone and other manufacturers. Then, in May 2026, a Colorado jury delivered a verdict of about $17 million in the case of former stone fabricator Tyler Jordan.

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that occurs after inhaling crystalline silica particles. Silicosis symptoms include coughing, inflammation and fibrosis. Though symptoms may not manifest for years, some people begin experiencing them within weeks of high exposure levels. The disease is incurable and debilitating and often leads to death.

There are three types of silicosis, which are identified by how long it takes the disease to develop: acute (5 years or less), accelerated (five to 10 years) and chronic (10 years or more). Because quartz countertops contain a high level of crystalline silica (90% or more), workers who process them have a higher risk of breathing in large amounts of silica dust and developing severe silicosis more quickly.

Cutting, grinding or polishing quartz countertops releases silica dust that can enter the lungs of engineered stone workers, causing scarring that leads to silicosis. Engineered stone quartz can have silica concentrations of 90% or more.

In recent years, U.S. health officials have been paying closer attention to silicosis, especially in workers who make or install engineered-stone countertops. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine estimated that around 100,000 U.S. stone-fabrication workers are at risk of developing silicosis from unsafe levels of silica dust.

In California, doctors now have to report to the state when they diagnose someone with silicosis. As of August 2026, more than 600 people have gotten sick since 2019, and at least 31 have died after working with engineered stone. More than 70 workers needed a lung transplant.

Those who work with materials that contain respirable crystalline silica without adequate protection are most at risk of developing silicosis — especially quartz countertop workers. Wearing and keeping dusty work clothes in the home also increases exposure and risk.

Anyone whose job involves participating in or being around the blasting, crushing, drilling, breaking, sanding, grinding or milling of materials containing respirable crystalline silica is at risk of silicosis. Silica dust is not always visible and workers cannot count on dust visibility as a risk indicator.

The early stages of silicosis might not cause symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, people usually begin noticing signs such as shortness of breath, chest tightening, severe coughing and wheezing.

Not all people who have silicosis will experience every symptom. The type of silicosis and severity of the disease can lead to varying health impacts. However, symptoms often worsen over time as the disease progresses, and they can appear years after silica exposure.

How long a person lives with silicosis depends on individual factors, such as age of onset, exposure duration, smoking habits and overall health. The median survival time for people diagnosed with stage 1 silicosis is 27 years. However, those with more advanced stages may face a shorter life expectancy. Disease factors also affect prognosis, including the type of silicosis and the stage at which it is detected.

The survival times of silicosis stage I, II and III, from the year of diagnosis to death, have been reported to be about 21.5, 15.8 and 6.8 years, respectively. A more recent 2025 study in Frontiers in Public Health reported slightly higher survival rates. People with stage I, II and III had median survival rates of 27, 20 and 11 years, respectively.

Silicosis is preventable, and employers are responsible for providing safe working conditions that follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Failure to ensure a safe working environment increases workers’ risk of silicosis. Employees should adhere to safety guidelines and protocols to protect themselves from exposure.

Employers should also provide regular training on crystalline silica safety and silicosis and offer health screenings when exposure occurs.

Since 2024, the U.S. government has made rules regarding silica dust even stricter for miners. The Mine Safety and Health Administration lowered the silica exposure limit for miners to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This is the same strict limit used for other jobs.

The new rule also means miners will get more health check-ups, and mines must test the air often and have written plans to control dust. OSHA estimated that these rules could prevent 900 cases of silicosis per year.

Preventative measures include environmental controls that eliminate airborne particulates, training, personal safety gear and worksite behaviors.

The burden of establishing these measures rests with the employer. However, silicosis lawsuits also say that manufacturers are liable because they failed to warn about the high level of silica in engineered stone.

If you or a loved one got sick from breathing in silica dust at work and received a diagnosis of silicosis or a related lung illness, you may be able to file a silicosis lawsuit as long as you do it before your state’s deadline.

More and more workers have been filing lawsuits about silicosis, especially people who cut engineered stone for countertops. Some cases may mention employer negligence, but the most recent cases have blamed engineered stone manufacturers for failing to warn stone fabricators that quartz countertops contain high amounts of silica. Complete a free case review through Consumer Notice to see if you qualify.