A warning about engineered stone worktops has been issued by unions, after 18 lung disease cases emerge, and two deaths of workers using the material.
Engineered surfaces, often used in modern kitchens and bathrooms, have been linked to over a dozen cases in the UK of a lethal lung disease called artificial stone silicosis.
Silicosis can develop due to inhalation of stone dust containing high levels of silica. This often happens whilst working in the manufacturing and fitting process and without proper protections or safeguarding processes in place.
Silicosis causes severe scarring and injuries to the lungs, and there is no known cure. This damage reduces the ability of the lungs’ to absorb oxygen, causing symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and tiredness.
Silicosis is both progressive and incurable, often developing after silica dust exposure. Thickened, stiff tissue can makes it hard for the lungs to function properly, and can become progressively worse over time.
Silicosis can have a major impact a person’s quality of life, and prevention using protective equipment and dust control measures, is critical, as silicosis is currently incurable.
So far, at least 18 known UK cases of this form of engineered stone silicosis have been uncovered. The youngest sufferer is a 24-year-old man.
Two stone engineers under the age of 50 have already died from this condition in the UK.
High-silica artificial stone, known as quartz, is now banned in Australia after being labelled ‘modern-day asbestos‘ thanks to hundreds of suspected cases.
However, despite the known health risks, demand for engineered stone is continuing to grow in the UK, particularly for use in kitchen and bathrooms as it mimics marble or granite at a lesser price.
Unions call for ban
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called for a ban on such artificial stone surfaces, warning that it could “prevent hundreds of deaths.”
Health and safety policy officer at the federation of Trade Unions, Shelly Asquith, said that current exposure limits for silica dust are set “far too high”.
Shelly said:
“Research shows if we were to halve the amount of dust workers were legally allowed to be exposed to, it would prevent hundreds of deaths.
“Britain must go further still in prioritising the health of workers and ban the use of high silica engineered stone which, as the tragic and preventable deaths show, can be lethal.”
What needs to be done?
Published in August, a study suggested that the average age of patients with the disease was just 34, with the initial eight cases hitting men between the ages of 27 and 56.
Experts call for better protections, tighter regulations, or to take Australia’s lead and issue a blanket ban of the material.
Further reading
For some further information about silicosis claims, check out this page.
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