I was set on quartz worktops but I see there are health and safety problems for the fabricators.

[TeaAndStrumpets]

As title, I had decided on quartz worktops but have been reading there is a question mark over safety during manufacture. Anyone interested can google re Australian government's concerns in particular.

I have read that quartz is unlikely to be banned in the UK, but manufacturers are looking at reformulating their products to make it safer to produce. The silica content is very harmful to the workers making it unless strict precautions are taken.

OK so it sounds as if quartz worktops will still be available in the UK, maybe slightly changed in composition, but it has made me think a natural product could be a better choice in the long run.

I would like a stainproof heatproof surface. Everything I read about has negatives! Any suggestions welcome.

I’m not trying to incite a panic for people who already have quartz in their kitchen. I’m not taking about harm to the homeowner - I’m talking about harm to the people making the stuff at any stage of the process.

Yes, that was my understanding with both you and @TeaAndStrumpets

Yes exactly, thank you.

If you are sincerely more concerned about protecting laborers' health than selecting a favorite product for your kitchen I would also recommend oiled oak countertops. Beautiful, extremely resistant, and easily restorable.

If I was buying quartz worktops manufactured in China, I may have some concerns.
Buying from UK/EU, zero concerns.

I like the idea of oak - what does restoring them involve? Sanding them down every few years? Do they mark easily if eg. a colander is left dripping wet on the side for hours? I cannot be trusted to look after any sort of delicate material (and my kids certainly can't!) and I don't want to have to police the kitchen. So I'm open to ideas!

What basis do you have for that opinion? I'd love to be able to go for quartz, so if you have evidence that I can buy it from somewhere in the UK and be certain that nobody will be suffering incurable lung disease as a result of working with it, that would really help me out.

I do like the decreased risk to my good china! Wood would hopefully be a bit kinder to knocks etc. But sadly the upkeep would be neglected, i can guarantee.

I am just facing facts!

Health and Safety laws.
What basis do you have to suspect the factory workers are exposed to these extremely well known hazards in the UK?

I'm not an expert and I don't claim to be - I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm trying to understand what I'm buying and its possible impact. Australia has banned it. I don't imagine their H&S regulations are drastically different to UK regs? Herringbone Kitchens in the UK is refusing to sell it and is petitioning the UK government to ban it.

Again - I'm not an expert here, but my reading suggests that we are only just beginning to understand how significant the hazards are for workers - it's not a long established thing.

There's enough uncertainty around the impact of the product for me to avoid it in my kitchen, so I'm asking here for people's experiences of the alternatives.

I'm not sure why this question seems to be bringing out anger in some posters. Obviously we all make compromises, but it's perfectly legitimate to ask questions and figure out where you're comfortable when making decisions about your home. We all have different priorities and there's nothing wrong with trying to be true to yours when possible.

And considering that our waterways are often filled with sewage, as just one example, I'm not sure I have bottomless faith in UK health & safety regs.

That is so interesting @ProcrastinatorsAnonymous I looked at Herringbone Kitchens's statement then fell down an internet rabbit hole! It strikes me the industry worldwide is pulling out all the stops to reduce the silica content of their product eg the makers of Silestone, Caesarstone. A lot of porcelain products are being produced which act like quartz. So buying from a supplier who is reputable and can show you their technical data would be useful. Sorry I forgot to make a note but there is a UK surface maker association who are setting up standards for their members to adhere to. Something to check up on.

So maybe all is not lost!

Agreed @emmyren4

I think granite would then be the most appropriate choice for you at least around sink area. Oak counter on a "meuble de chasse" (I had one for 15 years along with slate countertops for the sinks and stove area) only needed touching up once or twice in that time. You could also do bleached oak in its natural state and allow it to grey. No upkeep at all and it would be fantastic for a beach or minimalist look. Have fun and enjoy the project stage. Once that is over you have to live with it!!

That sounds lovely. We are having oak doors throughout the house so that would actually be a nice solution, and not as echo-y as all granite. This will hopefully be our final home , so I just want a nice kitchen that will see us out !

I hadn't thought of combining materials, so that is a brilliant suggestion, thank you!

Oak , no matter how oiled or sealed, absorbs water. It’s not good round a sink, and it will burn if you put hot pans on it. It’s warm and beautiful, but not that practical.

Professional stainless steel sinks and work tops are pretty much indestructible . ( search me where the underline came from)

I couldn't do an underline for love nor money!

Looks like granite would be first choice for around the sink, for sure. I remember how unpleasant the wood overhang got over belfast sinks in ye olden days!!

Stainless is another idea. I suggested copper to DH and he looked at me in disbelief. In my defence, I had seen it on a posh kitchen website. The trouble is they all look so lovely. I also got hold of a DeVol brochure and definitely got ideas above my station ;-)

I agree oak is beautiful but too much upkeep. Stainless steel - while very practical - wouldn’t give us the look we’re going for. I think I need to investigate granite, porcelain and whatever new materials manufacturers are developing to tackle the H&S issue.

Does anyone have experience of porcelain?

@TeaAndStrumpets - I think I know the precise photo of the copper worktop you lean from the DeVol brochure! I like the idea of letting it patina over time. How do you think it would look alongside brass taps, though?

*mean

I am similarly careless with my kitchen surfaces and am going with polished concrete.

I've had marble, granite, wood, concrete, corian and laminate before. I found that the concrete was the most bombproof, it can stain but the stains just fade in and it looks better with some wear and tear.

These days they can do it in all sorts of colours and patterns, haven't decided on the look or colour just yet.

I don't see why not, maybe aged brass. It would patinate beautifully. I suggested a patinated splashback to DH and got a very unsympathetic response - he has offered to get some copper from the local metal dealer and leave in the garden for a few months.

Honestly I get fed up asking his opinion on things! It has taken months to find a paint colour. His choice reminded me of the content of EBF nappies...So not that. We have settled on Little Greene Light Bronze Green, so copper or brass handles could look nice. Like you I would love either in taps but it's been vetoed!!

@CatherinedeBourgh That is interesting, I agree the sturdier the better.

Perhaps look at corian? There's no silica in that but I'm not sure of the process of it.

I managed to crack my Corian sink. Not sure how, but they did replace it for free.

DH is the main washer-upper and he really wants a double drainer stainless sink. He intends to do all the washing up in the pantry, also have the dishwasher in there, i think the D/W should be in the kitchen but if he wants his own space fair enough! It will be like having an elderly scullery maid.

So I can have a nice sink in the kitchen! Is Corian easy to clean?