Granite and the new quartz countertops have lots of silica in them. Corian does too, but not as much. I didn't know why we ever needed something different than Corian. Workers are getting silicosis, dying as young as 36! OSHA guidelines regulate how much silica can be in the air. No mention is made of respirators? Cleaning people are getting it too. Article tells you where to get stone from safer manufacturers. Click on photo.