Guide
Silica in quartz worktops: what homeowners should know
Silica in quartz worktops has been in the news, and Guildford customers sometimes ask whether it is safe to have one at home. The short answer is yes: the danger is to people breathing dust while the stone is cut, not to anyone using a finished worktop. Here is the longer version.
What crystalline silica is
Crystalline silica is a mineral found in sand, stone and clay. Engineered quartz is typically very high in it. Cutting, grinding and polishing the stone releases very fine dust, and breathing that dust over time can cause silicosis and other serious lung diseases in stoneworkers.
What the HSE said in May 2026
The Health and Safety Executive stated on 11 May 2026 that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable, reminded fabricators that water suppression is a legal requirement, and pledged more than 1,000 inspections of stone businesses over the following twelve months. Dry methods can expose workers to five to ten times more silica dust than wet cutting with equivalent tools.
Is a quartz worktop safe at home?
Yes. A fitted worktop does not give off silica dust in normal use, whether you are chopping, cleaning or cooking on it. The risk sits in the workshop and on site, during cutting and polishing.
Lower-silica and silica-free options
Reduced-silica and silica-free quartz ranges, which look and work much like standard quartz, are now made by several brands. If you want one, say so when you ask for a price. Natural stone generally has lower silica levels than ordinary engineered quartz, and porcelain varies by product, so check the manufacturer’s figure for any slab you are considering.
Questions worth asking any worktop company
- Is the stone cut wet, with water suppression, in the workshop and on site?
- Are lower-silica ranges available in the colour you like?
- How are cut-outs and adjustments handled when fitting?
Common questions
Is engineered stone banned in the UK?
No ban was in place as of May 2026. Instead the HSE ruled out dry cutting and increased its inspections.
Is porcelain silica-free?
Not always. Silica content varies by product, so check the manufacturer’s data for the slab you choose.
Sources
Get a worktop price
Phone us, or give us your number for a call back and a price.
- Rough lengths, or a sketch
- The stone or colour you like
- Your sink, tap and hob if chosen
Related worktops
Quartz worktops
Engineered stone with a steady colour and nothing to seal.
Granite worktops
Quarried stone that copes with heat. No two slabs alike.
Porcelain worktops
Thin, heatproof slabs that will not fade in the sun.
More guides
Quartz vs granite: how to choose
The two most asked-about stones, compared honestly.
What is quartzite, and is it the same as quartz?
Two similar names, two very different materials.
Limescale and stone worktops in a hard-water area
How each stone copes with Surrey’s hard water.
How templating and fitting work
The steps from quote to finished kitchen, and what to have ready.
What decides the price of stone worktops
Why quotes differ, and how to compare them fairly.
Ask for a free quote
Pop your number in and we will ring to go through the job and give you a price. Or call 01483 694680.