Engineered stone counter tops are killing workers at high rates. What can consumers do about it?

A construction worker sands a kitchen counter. Gandhi’s co-author Dr. Jane Fazio, a pulmonary critical care physician at UCLA Medical Center, said engineered stone has dominated the market in the last 10 to 15 years primarily because of its affordability. “Our study demonstrates that there is no other cause of the type of lung disease that they have other than the silica that they’re breathing,” she said, adding that “the average consumer would be absolutely horrified to know how dangerous silica is for workers.” Here’s what you should know about buying an engineered stone counter top and the steps you can take to help protect workers who work with material: Should I be worried about my counter tops? It’s important that consumers understand that engineered stone counter tops are an occupational safety issue and consumers “should not shy away from using stone products whether they’re man-made or natural,” said Jim Hieb of the Natural Stone Institute, a trade association for the natural stone industry. “Millions of engineered stone countertops have been installed in consumers’ homes for nearly 40 years without posing any risk,” according to the Engineered Stone Manufacturers Assn.