Why silica matters
Crystalline silica occurs naturally in sand, quartz and lots of rocks. Sawing or polishing stone that is rich in it creates fine dust which, breathed in over months or years, can lead to silicosis, a lung disease with no cure. Engineered stone dust is particularly dangerous because the silica content is so high. Once a worktop is installed and nobody is cutting it, no dust is produced, so the danger sits with the workshop and fitting crews.
What the HSE said in May 2026
On 11 May 2026 the HSE stated that cutting engineered stone dry is not acceptable, and that on-tool water suppression is the expected way to control dust. It listed what employers must do: use engineered stone with low silica content, use on-tool water suppression, provide suitable breathing protection and carry out regular health checks. Over the next year it intended to visit more than 1,000 fabrication workshops across Great Britain.
This is guidance backed by inspections, not a ban. It is still lawful to supply and install engineered stone in Britain. Australia went further and banned engineered stone work from 1 July 2024.
How the materials compare
| Material | Crystalline silica |
|---|---|
| Standard engineered quartz | Up to 95% (HSE) |
| Lower-silica engineered quartz | Much lower; check the data sheet |
| Quartzite and sandstone | Sandstone 70% or more (SafeWork NSW) |
| Granite | Typically about 30% (SafeWork NSW) |
| Porcelain and sintered stone | Varies by product; check the data sheet |
| Marble | About 2% (SafeWork NSW) |
Natural stone is not automatically low in silica, and whatever the material, wet cutting and dust control matter most.
Questions to ask before you choose
- What is the crystalline silica percentage of this exact design?
- Does this look come in a lower-silica version?
- Is the stone cut wet in the workshop?
- Will anything be cut on site at my house, and how is the dust handled?
We will answer all four for any stone we quote.
What we suggest
Keen on quartz? Go for the lower-silica version of your design if it is made. To skip engineered stone entirely, look at porcelain or marble, bearing in mind how differently they wear. The material comparison sets out the trade-offs.
Questions we are asked
Is my quartz worktop dangerous at home?
No. The hazard is dust from cutting and grinding. A fitted worktop that is used and cleaned normally does not give off silica dust.
Has engineered stone been banned in the UK?
No. In 2026 the HSE made clear that dry cutting is unacceptable and stepped up inspections, but engineered stone can still be sold and fitted.
Does lower-silica quartz look different?
Not noticeably. HSE research found lower-silica engineered stone available at the same quality, and many popular plain and veined looks are now made in lower-silica versions.
Sources
- Health and Safety Executive: no dry cutting of engineered stone (11 May 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- SafeWork NSW: crystalline silica and engineered stone (opens in a new tab)
We are not connected with the organisations linked here; they are listed for reference.