The engineered stone industry is pushing Congress for legal immunity as hundreds of countertop fabricators develop silicosis, a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. Jeff Rose, a 55-year-old Kentucky fabricator, and his 30-year-old son Skyler both contracted the disease after decades of cutting quartz countertops. The disease has left Rose unable to climb stairs or enjoy his former creative work.

Industry representatives argue that fabricated quartz is safe and blame fabrication workshops for improper cutting practices. Cambria, the largest engineered stone manufacturer in the United States, testified that the problem lies in the cutting process, not the product. Republican lawmakers expressed concern that litigation could harm the $30 billion industry or drive business overseas.

The proposed legislation would grant quartz manufacturers the same legal protections as vaccine and firearm makers. Workers, doctors, and occupational health experts counter that engineered stone is inherently toxic and that no cutting method is truly safe. California has confirmed 512 silicosis cases and 29 deaths since 2019, with doctors expecting cases to rise as the disease's long incubation period becomes apparent.