The Short Answer

The concern with crystalline silica relates to dust that can be created when stone is cut and ground and finished. That means the people at the greatest risk are the fabricators and installers who work with the material rather than the household using a finished worktop in daily life. Once a worktop has been made and fitted the cutting is done and the surface is simply a worktop you cook on and wipe down.

This page is a general explanation rather than medical advice. If you have a concern about your own health please speak to your GP. If you would like to talk through a worktop we have supplied our team is always happy to help.

Where the Risk Arises

It helps to think about the life of a worktop in three stages. The table below shows what happens at each stage and what matters most.

The first two stages are where dust control matters and it is why safe working practices sit at the heart of our commitment. The third stage is where most of us spend our time with a worktop and it is about everyday care rather than dust.

If you are choosing a new worktop our Low and Zero Silica Worktops page shows the surfaces we offer and how to arrange samples and a quote. It is a good place to start when you want to see the options for yourself.

What Happens During Fabrication and Installation

Crystalline silica in quartz and stone worktops can create hazardous dust during cutting and grinding and polishing. Breathing in this dust can cause silicosis and other serious lung diseases. In a workshop that risk is managed with water-fed tools and dust-extraction systems and well maintained equipment and clean work areas and trained people who wear suitable respiratory protection whenever it is needed.

The same thinking applies on site. If a worktop needs trimming or a cut out needs adjusting after delivery that work should be done with the same care as in the workshop. Cutting or drilling a worktop yourself without dust controls is best avoided. If any work is needed once a worktop is in your home ask the people doing it how they will control dust. Our guides to How We Cut Stone Safely and Choosing a Safe Worktop Fabricator explain what good practice looks like.

What About Daily Life in the Kitchen

Day to day a fitted worktop asks very little of you. Clean the surface with mild soap and warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals. To help preserve the finish use trivets for hot pans and a chopping board when preparing food. That simple routine keeps the surface looking its best and it is the same whether the worktop is quartz or a low silica alternative.

For care advice that applies to low and zero silica surfaces our guide to Caring for Low Silica Worktops goes into more detail.

Questions Homeowners Ask

Do I need to worry about cleaning my worktop?

No special steps are needed. Mild soap and warm water with a soft cloth is the recommended routine. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals to help preserve the finish.

What if my worktop needs altering after it is fitted?

Any cutting or trimming should be done with proper dust controls by people who are trained to work safely. It is best not to cut or drill the worktop yourself without those controls. Ask whoever carries out the work how they will manage dust.

Is a low silica worktop different to live with?

In daily use the care routine is the same. The main difference lies in the crystalline silica content and the way that can reduce the silica related risk for the people who fabricate and install the worktop.

Guidance and Inspections Rather Than a Ban

Questions about quartz in the home have grown because of wider attention on stone dust. In May 2026 the Health and Safety Executive published guidance on engineered stone and it is running an inspection programme. That is guidance and inspections. It is not a ban on quartz and nothing on this page suggests otherwise. Our article on HSE Engineered Stone Guidance Explained explains what the guidance covers and what it could mean for homeowners.

If you are interested in whether quartz has been banned our short guide Is Quartz Banned in the UK answers that question directly.

For the full picture our Low Silica Worktops Guide gathers every article in the series in one place so you can move from the basics to the detail at your own pace.

Choosing a Lower Silica Alternative

Some customers prefer to choose a worktop with a lower crystalline silica content. Zero and low silica worktops can reduce the silica related risk for the fabricators and installers who handle them although safe dust control practices are still essential. They can also offer a similar appearance and useful performance to conventional quartz. We are committed to offering products identified as low or zero in crystalline silica content so you can make an informed choice.

To learn more read What Are Low Silica Worktops and Low Silica Worktops vs Quartz. If you would like quick answers visit our Low and Zero Silica Worktops FAQs page.

Our Own Commitment

We are working toward a factory environment with zero crystalline silica exposure. That is a goal rather than a claim that we have already reached it and we are reviewing how we work and strengthening the steps we take to reduce dust exposure. You can read the full statement in Our Commitment to a Safer Workplace.

Where to Go Next

If you would like to understand the health condition behind the guidance read What Is Silicosis. To see how a fabricator should work read How We Cut Stone Safely and Choosing a Safe Worktop Fabricator.

Speak to the Precious Marble Team

If you have questions about quartz or about low and zero silica alternatives we are happy to help. Visit our Elstow showroom to see the surfaces and talk to our team.

To ask a question or arrange a quote, call our team on 01234 348 590 or request a quote online. We will talk you through the options and answer anything you would like to know before you decide.