Workers who cut crushed quartz countertops say they are falling ill from a deadly lung disease: "I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy"

Over the past decade, engineered stone countertops made from crushed quartz have taken over the U.S. market. They come in a range of colors and patterns, and manufacturers talk up their advantages.

But compared to natural stone, these slabs often contain much higher levels of crystalline silica — as much as 95%. While the countertops are not a danger to the consumers who've put them in their homes, if inhaled during fabrication, can cause silicosis, which destroys the lungs. Workers who cut and shape those slabs often work in a haze of silica dust, and many are now becoming sick.

The rise of engineered stone countertops, preferred for their heat resistance and variety of colors, has overshadowed the grave health risks associated with their production.