On August 7, 2024, an article appeared in the newspaper De Standaard – “Doctors call for ban on popular material for kitchen countertops: ‘Millions of workers at risk of developing lung disease’” – in which a group of doctors advocated for a ban on the use of quartz composite in the EU and the United Kingdom, inspired by the recent ban in Australia. This material, often used in kitchens, is said to be responsible for serious health issues among workers handling it, such as silicosis.
While these concerns are understandable, we want to emphasize that the safety of our employees is always our top priority. We take extensive measures to minimize exposure to hazardous substances and follow strict safety protocols to prevent such risks.
Difference Between Quartz Composite and Our Materials
The article discusses quartz composite, an engineered material composed of 90–97% quartz crystals (quartzite) bound together with an adhesive. Essentially, these are natural stone look-alikes known for their scratch resistance and good value for money. These products are often referred to as engineered stone or solid surfaces.
Our Approach: Safe and Responsible Handling of Quartz Sand and Cement
In the production of our cemented TST tables, we use a unique material: a cement topping made from a mix of quartz sand and cement. This is significantly different from quartz composite, which consists largely of quartzite. In our cement mix, we use quartz sand—a much less concentrated form of quartz—so that our tables contain only about 7% quartz sand per m². Additionally, the majority of our tables is still made of wood, which further limits the total amount of quartz. Thanks to multiple protective varnish layers, there is also no direct contact with quartz-containing material during daily use.
Although quartz sand is one of the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust, and all dust particles can be hazardous if inhaled, the risk when working with our cement topping is significantly lower due to the lower quartz concentration. The only potential health risk arises during mechanical processing of our topping, which can generate dust, but this risk is considerably lower than with quartz composite thanks to the low quartz content in our product. Nonetheless, it remains important to exercise caution whenever dust is created, as all dust particles can be hazardous.
Precautionary Measures During Processing
We recommend always wearing a dust mask and ensuring proper ventilation when sanding our cement layer to prevent respiratory irritation. This precaution applies to working with almost any material. We also advise not performing this work yourself, but rather contacting us for professional handling.
Conclusion: Safety Comes First
In short, while quartz composite may pose potential health risks, our products are safe to use. Thanks to our specific composition and finishing processes, we take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our customers and employees.