Low-silica and silica-free worktops

Why silica matters

Most engineered quartz worktops are made largely of crushed quartz, which is crystalline silica, bound with resin. Cutting, grinding and polishing them releases fine silica dust, and breathing that dust over time causes silicosis, a serious and incurable lung disease. The people at risk are those who fabricate and fit worktops.

In May 2026 the Health and Safety Executive published its first guidance written specifically for engineered stone. It says dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable, and it requires water suppression, suitable respirators and health surveillance for exposed workers. Its first listed control is to use stone with the lowest crystalline silica content. By October 2026 the HSE had inspected more than 400 businesses working with engineered stone, and 38% had received a formal enforcement notice.

Is a quartz worktop a risk in my home?

The hazard comes from dust created when the stone is cut, ground or polished. A finished worktop sitting in your kitchen is not being cut. If any cutting needs to happen at your home during fitting, ask how the dust will be controlled.

Which low-silica ranges exist

Several major manufacturers now sell surfaces with much less crystalline silica than traditional engineered quartz:

• Cosentino Silestone introduced ranges with a maximum of 40% and 10% crystalline silica in 2020, and has previewed a surface below 1%.
• Caesarstone ICON is described by Caesarstone as crystalline-silica free, with a footnote that it may contain traces of up to 1%. It is made largely from recycled materials, including recycled glass.
• Other brands also market low-silica or silica-free surfaces. Ask for the crystalline silica figure on the product data sheet rather than relying on a label.

Ranges and availability change, so check which designs are currently sold in the UK before you set your heart on one. Ask us which low-silica options suit the look you want.

What about natural stone and porcelain?

Natural stone contains crystalline silica too, in amounts that vary by stone. Granite contains quartz as one of its minerals, but generally far less than engineered quartz. Marble is mainly calcium carbonate and generally contains very little. Porcelain and sintered surfaces vary from product to product, so check the specification. Choosing granite, marble or porcelain can be part of the answer, but it does not remove the need for safe working.

What a low-silica worktop changes, and what it does not

Lower silica means less hazardous dust when the stone is worked, which is why the HSE puts it first. It does not remove the need for controls: Caesarstone says its ICON surfaces still require the same safety measures, such as wet tools and masks, and researchers say it is too early to know how much the new materials will reduce disease. For you as a buyer, it is a sensible choice that supports safer fabrication.

Choosing one for a Bath kitchen

Many low-silica and silica-free designs look like the marble-effect and plain quartz people already choose, so you may not have to compromise on appearance. Look at samples next to your cabinets and flooring, check the care guidance and warranty for the exact product, and ask how it copes with limescale, because Bath’s water is very hard. Compare it with other options in our material guide.