Choosing Your Countertop

We recently had a few clients ask us about Silicosis as a hazard with Quartz countertops, as articles are making the rounds lately, but they are not telling a complete story. Since our sister company, Apex Marble, sells various countertop materials, we thought we should address these growing concerns. Stone countertops are the crown jewels of modern kitchens—durable, beautiful, and timeless. But behind their polished surfaces lies an invisible risk, one that primarily affects those who cut, shape, and install them: silica dust exposure, the leading cause of silicosis.

Let’s take a closer look at the materials themselves before exploring how silica becomes a serious occupational hazard.

Types of Stone Countertops and Their Composition

Quartz (Engineered Stone)

Quartz countertops are made from crushed quartz crystals bound with resin—usually about 90–95% crystalline silica. Their strength, consistency, and color variety make them popular, but they also make them the most hazardous to fabricate. Cutting, grinding, or polishing quartz releases fine silica dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs.

Quartz Pre-Fab: Margarita, picture courtesy of Apex Marble

Quartzite (Natural Stone)

Often mistaken for quartz, quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock formed from sandstone under intense heat and pressure. Its silica content typically ranges from 80–95%, slightly less than engineered quartz. While safer than manmade quartz surfaces, it still presents a significant inhalation risk during fabrication.

Quartzite: Cristallo Imperliale, photo courtesy of Apex Marble

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, with an average silica content of 40–60%. The stone’s crystalline structure means less free silica is released during cutting compared to engineered quartz—but prolonged exposure can still lead to silicosis without proper dust control.

Granite: Patagonia, picture courtesy of Apex Marble

Marble

Made primarily of calcite (calcium carbonate), marble contains little to no silica, making it a much lower risk material in terms of silicosis. However, fabrication still generates fine dust that can irritate the lungs and eyes, so respirators and ventilation remain essential.

Marble: Super White, photo courtesy of Apex Marble

Soapstone

Composed mainly of talc and chlorite, soapstone is nearly silica-free and considered one of the safest stones to work with. Its smooth texture and matte finish require minimal polishing, further reducing airborne dust.

Soapstone example, photo courtesy of Toulmin Cabinetry

Solid Surface and Porcelain Countertops

Engineered solid surface materials (like Corian) are acrylic-based and contain minimal silica. Porcelain, on the other hand, can contain 15–45% silica, depending on formulation. Cutting porcelain slabs dry can still produce harmful dust if not controlled.

Porcelain: Mediterraneo Diamond Black, photo courtesy of Apex Marble