Episode
Artificial Stone Containing Silica is Killing Workers. Will California Ban It?
- Podcast
- KQED's Forum
- Published
- Aug 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3285
- Processing state
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Summary
More than 600 California stoneworkers have contracted silicosis, a deadly and incurable lung disease resulting from exposure to the silica in engineered stone. The material, a go-to choice for home countertops, has been found to be toxic to the workers who cut, grind and polish it. Now, doctors, stoneworkers and activists are pressuring California lawmakers to ban the material and embrace available alternatives. At the same time, stone manufacturers and lawmakers are pushing federal legislation to protect manufacturers from worker lawsuits. Join us as we unpack the danger of artificial stone containing silica and the state of efforts to protect workers. Guests: Farida Jhabvala Romero, labor correspondent, KQED Dr. Sheiphali Gandhi, pulmonologist and assistant professor, UC San Francisco; director, the Center for Silicosis Support and Research Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices