California Silicosis Surge Tied to Quartz Countertops Sparks Safety Push
A state study links a surge in silicosis among California workers to quartz/manufactured stone countertops, with about 631 cases since 2019 (151 this year, 40 in the last month), 31 deaths, and 65 lung transplants. Most victims are middle-aged men, many in Los Angeles County, and safety violations are widespread in shops handling engineered stone. Regulators attribute the crisis to rising demand for the material and are moving to stricter rules, including a potential ban on certain fabrication tasks. A GoFundMe is aiding Enrique Gonzalez, a San Fernando Valley worker affected by the disease.
