Artificial stone could face additional bans as more workers develop silicosis, but there is no nationwide prohibition in the United States as of yet. Australia has already banned the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of certain engineered stone countertops, panels, and slabs.
Meanwhile, California is considering a similar restriction. Whether other states or the federal government will follow remains uncertain. The debate has intensified because workers can develop severe lung disease after cutting and polishing products commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms.
Regardless of the outcome, workers who have been exposed to silica dust from engineered stone may still have a claim. Reaching out to a product liability lawyer can help explain whether a harmful product claim involving silica may be possible.
Why Is Artificial Stone Linked to Silicosis?
Engineered stone, sometimes called artificial quartz, is made using crushed stone, resins, and other materials. Some products contain more than 90% crystalline silica. When workers cut, grind, drill, or polish these slabs, tiny particles of silica dust can become airborne.
Breathing in silica dust can cause silicosis, a permanent lung disease that makes it increasingly difficult to breathe. Some countertop fabrication workers have developed an accelerated form of the illness after relatively short periods of intense exposure.
Silicosis has no cure, and serious cases can lead to respiratory failure and the need for a lung transplant. Consulting a product liability attorney early can help affected workers and their families understand the medical and legal documentation needed to pursue compensation.
Where Has Engineered Stone Already Been Banned?
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide engineered stone ban on July 1, 2024. According to Safe Work Australia, the prohibition covers work involving engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs, subject to limited exceptions. Imports of those products were also prohibited beginning January 1, 2025.
Note that the ban’s scope is somewhat limited in that it depends in part on the product’s composition and intended use. Existing installations can also be handled under specific safety requirements.
Could Artificial Stone Be Banned in the United States?
It’s possible, but it hasn’t happened at the moment. Federal workplace regulations already limit exposure to respirable crystalline silica, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to warn employers about the dangers of countertop fabrication. Those rules, however, do not amount to a nationwide product ban.
California has taken additional steps. In 2026, state regulators began considering an emergency prohibition on fabricating and installing artificial stone containing more than 1% crystalline silica. As of November 2026, that measure remains a proposal.
Other jurisdictions could consider restrictions, but future legislation is difficult to predict. Employers must still follow existing safety requirements regardless of whether a ban takes effect. An experienced product liability lawyer can evaluate whether manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about these severe health risks.
How Would an Artificial Stone Ban Affect the Countertop Industry?
A ban on artificial stone could have substantial consequences for countertop manufacturers and installation companies. Businesses that rely on engineered stone would likely need to adjust their operations to comply with new regulations.
Some of the changes these businesses might need to make include:
- Switching to porcelain or other lower-silica materials
- Investing in new equipment and production methods
- Retraining employees to work with alternative products
- Updating their supply chains and purchasing arrangements
However, alternative materials can still produce hazardous dust during fabrication, so workplace safety precautions would remain important.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Product Liability Attorney for More Information About Your Rights
A future ban would not undo an existing injury. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with silicosis after working with engineered stone, you may have legal options for recovering compensation. Speaking with our dedicated product liability lawyers in Chicago can help determine who may be held responsible for your illness.
Contact Meyers & Flowers today at (630) 576-9696 to learn more about your rights and the potential claims available to you. Our Chicago product liability attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience helping clients with cases just like these.