Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring component of quartz, and the wider industry has been moving towards lower-silica formulations in recent years: primarily to improve safety during the cutting and fabrication process. Expression Quartz is actively working to bring our range up to date on this front, with a number of our colours already available as low-silica options, and more to follow.
What is crystalline silica?
Crystalline silica is a mineral found naturally in quartz, sand and many types of stone. In engineered quartz worktops, it’s present because natural quartz, which is largely composed of silica, makes up the majority of the material. The concern in the industry isn’t about a finished, sealed worktop sitting in your kitchen; it’s about airborne dust generated during cutting, grinding and polishing in the fabrication workshop, where proper extraction and safety procedures are essential.
Why the industry is reducing silica content
Over the past several years, engineered stone manufacturers globally have faced increased scrutiny over occupational exposure to silica dust during fabrication, leading to a wider industry shift towards formulations with a lower percentage of crystalline silica, alongside improved workshop safety standards (wet-cutting, extraction and respiratory protection for fabricators).
What we’re doing
We are working hard to bring our range up to date by reducing the crystalline silica content of our surfaces. A number of our colours are already available as low-silica options, and we are continuing to invest in reformulating further designs as part of our commitment to responsibly produced quartz. As this work progresses, we will update this page and our product listings with the specific colours available in low-silica formulations.
Does lower silica content affect performance?
No: a well-formulated low-silica quartz worktop retains the same hardness, non-porosity, stain resistance and 15-year warranty as our standard range. The reformulation affects the raw material composition during manufacture, not the finished worktop’s everyday performance in your kitchen.
Is silica a concern for the finished worktop in my home?
The safety discussion around crystalline silica specifically concerns airborne dust generated during cutting and fabrication in a workshop, not a finished, polished, sealed worktop installed in a kitchen. As with any stone surface, if a worktop is ever cut, drilled or modified after installation, this should always be carried out by a qualified fabricator using appropriate wet-cutting and dust extraction methods.
Frequently asked questions
Which of your colours are low-silica?
We’re progressively reformulating our range, with a number of colours already available as low-silica options. Contact us to check the current status of a specific design you’re considering.
Does low-silica quartz look or perform differently?
No: low-silica formulations are designed to retain the same appearance, hardness and durability as our standard range.
Is silica dust a risk in my finished kitchen?
No: the risk relates specifically to airborne dust during cutting and fabrication in a workshop setting, not a finished, installed worktop.
Explore more
Read about the benefits of quartz worktops, browse the full range of 47 designs, or see how quartz worktop is made. Questions about low-silica options? Contact us.