As a company, our ethos has always been so important to how we run our family business.  Back in January 2024 `we read an article in a newspaper about the banning of high silica quartz worktops in Australia due to risks of silicosis, a deadly disease. We began to research the effects of high silica engineered quartz (including this report from the University of California (UCSF). This led us to look at the risks of silicosis and using this product in the UK. We spoke to our stonemasons, researchers within the field and UK doctors treating patients with silicosis. Silica is naturally occurring in stone such as granite and marble at between 5-40%, however, in engineered quartz it can be as high as 97%.

Following these discussions in Feb 2024 we became the first company in the UK to ban high silica engineered stone This stone is currently the dominate product in the market in the UK. While this product is not currently being considered for a ban in the UK, it is now banned in Australia and other countries are considering similar bans, being labelled the next asbestos. Importantly, there are no risks to clients once this product is installed however the risk come when it is produced and cut by stonemasons. While our stonemasons are confident that they have the strongest health and safety measures in place to protect their team and use water cutting and good ventilation to ensure this is safely done in their factory. However, for us, the risk of this material is not necessary when there are so many beautiful alternatives on the market.

We have created a petition to ban this product in the UK. Sadly the dangers of silica won’t often be found in print because engineered stone manufacturers are big advertisers in magazines and papers. This is bonkers to us as silica has been dubbed the next asbestos and in one study the median lifespan for stonemasons who are improperly cutting high silica quartz was 46 years old.

While we are the first company in the UK to ban the sale of high-silica engineered stone, we hope that more companies follow suit in the coming months. We hope you can understand why we made this decision and can stand behind us in working to keep the industry safe and accountable. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding while we stay true to our ethos by taking action.

Please do be in touch if you have any questions.

With many thanks, 

William and Elly 

Directors and Founders of Herringbone