Why Crystalline Silica-Free?
Crystalline Silica is found in large quantities in engineered surfaces like quartz. It is also found in granite. These common, and popular, materials are causing health problems for miners, manufacturers, and installers in the form of silicosis. Silicosis is a lung disease, much like asbestos, which scars the lungs. Cases of this disease are growing in numbers and causing regulatory bodies like OSHA to enforce silica content regulations. Some countries, like Australia, are even banning materials with high silica content.
Want to find healthier materials?
Below are some products on the market that are working to eradicate the silica problem.
Crystalline VS. Amorphous Silica
The two types of silica have different atomic structures which change their impact on human health and appearance. Common forms of crystalline silica include quartz, which is found in most forms of natural stone (granite, engineered quartz, marble, and quartzite). Amorphous silica is much less hazardous to the lungs and is found in glass, silicon carbide, and silicone.
Source: washington.edu
Examples of Crystalline Silica-Free Surfacing
Ultracompact Stone
Made from natural minerals like quartz, feldspar, clay, and silica - Consentino is a great example (pictured: Lapitec)
Solid Surface
Made of acrylic or polyester resins (pictured: Durat)
Paper + Resin Composite
Made with paper (often recycled) and non-toxic phenolic resin (pictured: PaperStone)
Recycled Composite Glass-engineered Stone
Feature glass (a product containing inert amorphous silica) and a resin mix (pictured: GEOS)