California moves toward first-in-U.S. quartz countertop ban

California is moving closer to becoming the first state in the country to ban the production and installation of some engineered quartz countertops because of growing concerns about a deadly lung disease affecting workers. The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is expected to vote on an emergency rule in October. The proposal would apply to manufactured stone products that contain more than 1% crystalline silica, kbbreview.com reported.