Olivia Disley said professionally manufactured and installed quartz worktops do not expose homeowners to the silica dust tied to silicosis, despite rising concern over engineered stone.
Silicosis risk comes from repeated inhalation of fine crystalline silica dust during cutting and fabrication, she said, not from normal cooking, cleaning or family use of a finished surface.
Chips or cracks are usually an appearance issue rather than a health threat, but Disley said homeowners should avoid DIY cutting, drilling or grinding and use professionals with dust-control systems.
Quartz remains one of Britain's most popular worktop materials in millions of homes, and Disley said the focus should be worker protection during fabrication rather than removing existing kitchen surfaces.