California may ban artificial-stone countertops to protect workers from a deadly lung disease caused by inhaling dust. The disease, silicosis [ si-luh-kow-suhs ], is caused by breathing in fine silica dust. California made dust-reducing rules permanent in 2024. State officials will hear from affected workers Thursday, but a vote on a possible ban isn’t expected until at least May 21st. If passed, California would be the first U.S. state to ban artificial stone. Australia banned it in 2024 after a major silicosis outbreak that sickened about a thousand people.