California regulators have voted to adopt a petition banning engineered stone with over 1% crystalline silica, aiming to curb a silicosis epidemic that has killed 31 workers and sickened over 560 since 2019. The decision is the first step in a rulemaking process that could make California the first U.S.
state to ban the material. Key facts: - The ban targets engineered quartz countertops, which release toxic silica dust during fabrication.
- Over 560 silicosis cases and 31 deaths have been reported in California since 2019, with numbers likely underestimated. - The board directed Cal/OSHA to draft emergency rules, but a permanent ban may take months and could be phased in.
- Enforcement challenges remain, as 72% of inspected shops violated safety standards, and a ban may push some operations underground. The vote follows emotional testimony from workers and public health experts, but experts warn cases will continue to rise for years due to past exposures.