Stone used to make popular kitchen and bathroom benchtops could be banned from Australia after a quarter of tradies who worked with it developed a deadly lung condition
- Engineered stone is imported to make benchtops for bathrooms and kitchens
- The stone has to be cut with power tools by tradies who breathe in tiny particles
- Silica dust leads many to develop silicosis and other diseases and some die
- Stone could be banned if the industry doesn't do enough to protect workers
Australian mother-of-two Joanna McNeill, 34, was diagnosed with silicosis after working in an administration job near a quarry
Imports of engineered stone popular in Australian kitchens and bathrooms could be banned unless employers lift their game to protect workers from silica dust exposure.
A federal task force says health and safety regulations aren't properly protecting workers from dust exposure linked to the deadly lung disease silicosis.
Its final report released on Monday stopped short of recommending an immediate ban on imports.
But the task force said Australia should get ready to ban some or all product imports from July 2024 in the absence of significant industry changes.
Nearly one in four people who have worked with engineered stone since 2018 suffer from silicosis or other diseases related to silica dust, according to data from Queensland and Victoria.
'Maintaining the status quo is not acceptable,' the report said.
Anthony White (pictured) is believed to be the first tradesman to die after experts warned about engineered stone last year, calling it 'the next asbestos'
Shane Parata (pictured) was diagnosed with silicosis days before it killed his brother Anthony
Silicosis is caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica released when engineered stone is cut, ground or polished.
Prevalent in Australia between the 1940s and 1960s, the disease has re-emerged due to the increasing popularity of engineered stone benchtops.
The report said businesses working with the material were on notice to improve, including by regularly monitoring and recording silica dust levels and employee health.
It added Australia should also put in motion plans to ban imports if there are no measurable or acceptable improvements in compliance with regulations.
The development of national guidelines was recommended to identify those at risk from silica dust exposure, and improve health screening for current and former workers.
In March of 2018 Gold Coast man Anthony White, 36, (pictured) became the first recorded stonemason to die after contracting silicosis
WHAT IS SILICOSIS
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock, and mineral ores such as quartz.
It mostly affects workers exposed to silica dust in occupations such mining, glass manufacturing, and foundry work.
Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to breathe.
KEY FACTS:
There are three types of silicosis: acute, chronic, and accelerated.
It occurs in workers from mines, foundries, sandblasting, and glass manufacturing.
About 2 million US workers remain potentially exposed to occupational silica.
There is no cure for silicosis, but it can be prevented.
Silicosis is caused when materials such as artificial stone bench tops are dry cut and workers inhale tiny particles of silica dust. Pictured: A chest x-ray image demonstrating the impact silicosis has on the lungs in red)
HOW IT AFFECTS THE BODY:
Silicosis affects the lungs by damaging the lining of the lung air sacs.
Once this begins, it leads to scarring and, in some situations, to a condition called progressive massive fibrosis.
This condition happens when there is severe scarring and stiffening of the lung, which makes it difficult to breathe.
People with acute silicosis experience cough, weight loss, tiredness, and may have fever or a sharp chest pain.
You may also have shortness of breath over time, especially with chronic silicosis.
Source: American Lung Association
