Deadly Silicosis Lung Disease Targeting Countertop Workers

Countertops are big business. New home construction, remodels and commercial projects drove an overall market value of $33.8 billion in 2025. One large segment is the growing market for engineered quartz, prized because it is lower in cost and has a more consistent appearance than natural stone products.

But engineered quartz has a hidden cost: the silica dust exposure created when workers cut and process the material is causing serious lung damage, severe breathing problems and an incurable disease called silicosis.

Engineered quartz can contain up to 95% crystalline silica. When cut or polished, it releases tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Over time, those particles can cause silicosis, a fatal disease marked by scars to the lung tissue and increasing difficulty breathing.

One Worker’s Story

César Manuel González spent years working as a countertop fabricator. He cut and polished slabs of marble, granite and engineered quartz. When González was on the job, the fine dust created by cutting stone didn’t seem unusual. It coated his clothes, settled in his hair, and filled the air around him. As demand for cheaper stone countertops surged following the 2008 recession, he transitioned from working with natural stone to engineered materials. What he couldn’t see was the danger caused by silica-dust exposure.

Construction workers like Gonzalez often experience severe breathing problems from silica dust exposure but don’t seek medical treatment because they may lack health insurance or they fear seeking treatment will put their immigration status and U.S. residency at risk. They may even die from severe lung disease without being formally diagnosed with silicosis. The disease was extremely rare before the surge in popularity of engineered stone countertops. Even today, doctors often fail to recognize and diagnose the disease and simply call it severe lung damage or COPD.

Common Silicosis Symptoms Include: 

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity that previously did not cause breathing problems
• A persistent cough that does not improve over time and may gradually worsen
• Ongoing fatigue or weakness that can interfere with daily activities and work
• Chest tightness or discomfort, sometimes accompanied by wheezing or difficulty taking deep breaths

González was diagnosed with silicosis in 2023. For patients like him, there is no cure. Treatments can help manage symptoms, but in severe cases like González’s, a lung transplant becomes the only option. Transplants can extend life, but they come with lifelong challenges, including daily medications and a heightened risk of infection. 

The History of Silicosis Disease in the U.S.

Once associated solely with miners and sandblasters after decades of exposure, health experts say cases involving younger workers have risen sharply over the past decade, though the full scope is unclear because silicosis is not consistently tracked nationwide. In fact, California is currently the only state that has begun tracking silicosis. Since 2019, California authorities have reported hundreds of silicosis and severe lung disease cases linked to the engineered stone industry.

The issue isn’t new globally. Israel first noticed aggressive cases of silicosis in younger workers in 1997. Australia noticed the same pattern in the 2010s. In response, Australia banned high-silica engineered stone in 2024, prompting manufacturers to develop safer alternatives.

Silica Dust Legal Claims and Silica Exposure Lawsuits on the Rise

Hundreds of workers have silica exposure lawsuits throughout the U.S., claiming they were not adequately warned about the risks of silica dust exposure. One company, Caesarstone, is facing 427 lawsuits in the U.S. alone. 

Of course, for workers like González, these debates come too late. The damage to his lungs is permanent, and his future depends on complex medical care. His story highlights a difficult reality: manufacturers have failed to warn Americans about the  hidden human cost of these popular products.

Legal Help for Workers Exposed to Silica Dust

If your job exposed you to silica dust, you’re not alone—and you may have legal options. Our attorneys represent construction workers, stone fabricators, and others diagnosed with silicosis after workplace exposure. We fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term health impacts caused by unsafe working conditions. Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.