California Weighs Ban on Quartz Countertops Amid Rise in Fatal Lung Disease

California is moving to ban the creation or installation of man-made quartz, a popular alternative to granite and marble, in response to a dramatic increase in cases of a fatal lung disease that disproportionately affects workers who process the material. The proposed emergency regulation, which California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is expected to consider in October, targets manufactured stone containing more than 1 percent of crystalline silica.

Crystalline silica, highly concentrated in man-made quartz, becomes airborne as fine dust when the material is cut. Inhalation of this dust can lead to silicosis, a progressive and incurable lung disease characterized by scarring and lung damage. The immune system's reaction to the silica particles causes the lung tissue to form scar tissue, leading to irreversible lung damage. Sufferers often require lung transplants.

The number of reported silicosis cases in California has surged significantly in recent years. One study indicated a jump from 31 cases in 2019 to 631 as of mid-August. The majority of those affected are men, with a median age of 52. Approximately half of the reported cases are concentrated in Los Angeles County.

Enrique Gonzalez, a stone worker from the San Fernando Valley, is one of the individuals impacted by the disease. After years of working with granite and stone, he developed silicosis and has been unable to work for the past two years. His family has faced significant challenges covering medical expenses and daily living costs.

Gonzalez underwent a lung transplant in the summer, which has led to a notable improvement in his health. His daughter, Edith Gonzalez, reported that her father is recovering well and is now able to engage in daily walks without assistance, a stark contrast to his previous condition where he relied on a cane and often a wheelchair due to severe shortness of breath, even with supplemental oxygen.

Before the transplant, Gonzalez experienced severe breathing difficulties, requiring intubation at one point. His family had been warned that finding donor lungs could take years, making the timely transplant a critical intervention. The recovery process is ongoing, with Gonzalez attending numerous medical appointments and physical therapy sessions.

Due to Gonzalez's inability to work for the past two years, his family has relied on donations, including those from a GoFundMe campaign, to manage their financial burdens. His daughter expressed gratitude for the second chance at life her father has received.

The proposed regulation is currently under review before it can be enacted into law.