09/26/2026
Engineered quartz isn’t natural stone. It is manufactured using crushed quartz combined with resins, pigments and other additives.
Cutting, grinding and polishing engineered quartz can expose fabrication workers to extremely fine crystalline silica dust, along with potential exposures associated with the resins and other materials used in manufacturing. That’s why strict dust control, wet fabrication methods, ventilation and respiratory protection are so important.
The greatest documented health concern is occupational exposure during fabrication—but consumers may still have questions about the materials and chemicals used to manufacture the finished product, particularly when choosing a surface where food will be prepared.
Natural stone countertops include granite, marble, soapstone, limestone, travertine, slate, quartzite and other stone quarried from the earth. Wood and concrete countertops are also distinct countertop materials, but they are not natural stone. Wood is a natural material, while concrete is a manufactured composite made primarily from cement, aggregates and water.
Rather than assuming every countertop material is the same, ask what it is made from, who manufactured it, what certifications it carries, and what the manufacturer says about food-contact use.
Natural stone, engineered stone, wood and concrete are not the same products—and knowing what you’re bringing into your home matters.
