Accelerated silicosis warning prompts 52 people to contact WorkSafe NZ
Thursday, 8 August 2019
In the past six weeks 52 people have contacted WorkSafe concerned about the risk of accelerated silicosis.
In June, Stuff reported that hundreds of Kiwi stonemasons were likely affected by an incurable and sometimes fatal lung disease from cutting stone bench tops - but didn't know it.
The warning came from leading occupational physician Dr Alexandra Muthu who is working alongside government to prepare for what she said was a disease 'more significant' than asbestos.
Based on the high numbers in Australia, Muthu anticipated there were 150 to 250 stonemasons who currently have accelerated silicosis in New Zealand.
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Following the article, 52 people had contacted the agency 'concerned about accelerated silicosis' and wanted more information sent to them, according to WorkSafe.
The disease is caused by breathing particles of crystalline silica over a period of years, irreversibly damaging a person's lungs.
There have been a number of deaths as a result of the disease in Australia, with many others needing a lung transplant to survive.
The rise of the disease is being blamed on the demand for fashionable stone bench tops.
The risks associated with cutting natural stone have been known for some time, but the dangers of cutting engineered stone were only realised when more than 170 young stonemasons in Australia were diagnosed with accelerated silicosis in the last year.
'Our strong advice to anyone involved in cutting, grinding or polishing engineered stone is to take all possible steps to avoid exposure to dust generated through these processes,' a WorkSafe spokeswoman said.
Work was being done by a newly formed taskforce chaired by Muthu with WorkSafe, ACC and the Ministry of Health formulating a plan so those affected could be properly diagnosed.
WorkSafe sent out a safety alert last month warning industry professionals about the risks.
The Minister of Health had also been briefed on the issue, and the government asked to support a co-ordinated national case-finding response.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Accelerated silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing silica particles over a period of 2 to 10 years.
People who have stone bench tops in their homes are not at risk.
People concerned about accelerated silicosis can submit their contact details on the WorkSafe website, and also keep up to date with any developments.