Concerning link between artificial stone worktops and rising cases of silicosis
There are increasing reports that the recent surge in silicosis cases is linked to artificial stone worktops, generating calls for Government intervention.
Silicosis is a fatal lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. The debilitating effects of the disease include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and irreversible lung damage. There is currently no treatment or cure for the disease.
The increasingly popular worktops, cost-effective compared to natural stones like granite or marble, are made of crushed rocks bound together with resins and pigments. They contain dangerously high levels of silica, which when inhaled, has the potential to cause silicosis.
When worktops are made using engineered stone, the manufacturing process involves cutting and grinding the stone, which releases dust that is inhaled by the workers, leading to respiratory issues and silicosis, among other conditions.
The first UK case of the disease linked to cutting artificial stone was identified last year, with reports that cases of silicosis are increasing, particularly among young workers in the UK, with cases documented in men averaging 34 years-old.
Australia has recently banned the use of engineered stone due to rising silicosis cases, setting a precedent which the UK will hopefully follow, considering the devastating impact of the illness on the lives of those affected.
Hopefully, the UK will learn from the tragic legacy of widespread use of other harmful materials, such as asbestos which has devastated the lives of thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and continues to do so. Silicosis will likely cause similar devastation.
There is increasing pressure on the Government to consider an immediate ban on artificial stone worktops to prevent further cases of silicosis.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) claims a robust regulatory framework is in place, yet the rising cases of silicosis indicate that current measures are insufficient, leading for call for the HSE to urgently reassess its strategies and enforce stricter regulations to protect workers and avoid widespread exposure.
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