The reasons lung-health experts want engineered stone banned

Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Engineered stone is cut at a New Zealand factory where extensive health and safety measures have been taken to address the risk of ultra-fine silica dust causing incurable lung disease in workers. (File photo)

Vincent So is chief executive of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, representing a broad range of professional groups within the respiratory/sleep medicine field.

OPINION: Silicosis is an irreversible, debilitating and potentially fatal lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles, commonly found in dust generating activities such as mining, construction, fabrication, and installation of materials like engineered stone (aka, quartz and artificial stone).

These silica dust particles are invisible and 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, so they can travel deep inside your lungs to wreak havoc.

Recently, people working in trades have seen an explosion of silicosis cases – silicosis is the oldest occupational lung disease on record – and no cases should be occurring in the 21st century.

More than 275,000 Australians are now at risk of diseases caused by breathing in silica dust – that is more than the entire population of Dunedin, Lower Hutt, and Hastings combined.

Curtin University researchers have shown that workers in trades have a 37% risk of developing silicosis in later life. Monash University research published in June 2023 found that of 400 Victorian stone benchtop workers, 28% of Victorian stone benchtop workers had silicosis, and 21% had advanced silicosis.

Back home in New Zealand, a lack of screening workers’ lung performance; poor enforcement of existing health and safety standards; and no overarching government regulatory body means that silicosis cases from engineered stone benchtops alongside other trades where silica dust particles are regularly inhaled into workers’ lungs are likely to be much more common than we realise.

Engineered stone benchtops are popular in modern homes, but the Thoracic Society says they should be banned because of the health risks posed in manufacturing them.

New Zealand tradies need us to catch up with the play so that they can go to work without fear that a potentially career-ending, or worse, deadly disease could claim their health and livelihoods.

These are the six reasons silicosis is a danger to you and your family:

Progressive and irreversible: Silicosis is a chronic lung disease that progresses over time. Once silica particles enter the lungs, they cause inflammation and scarring, leading to the formation of scar tissue which makes the lungs harden and contract. This scarring restricts the ability to breathe properly, causing breathlessness, but only after the damage has been made. There is no cure for silicosis, and the damage to the lungs is irreversible.
Health impacts: Silicosis can have severe health consequences for affected individuals. Unfortunately, symptoms occur late, with many people noticing nothing at first. Symptoms typically include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, it can lead to more serious complications such as lung failure, lung infections, and an increased risk of developing other conditions. These include tuberculosis, lung cancer, emphysema, and some chronic skin and joint problems.
Occupational hazard: Silicosis is primarily an occupational disease, affecting workers who are exposed to high levels of silica dust. Industries with a high risk include mining, construction, sandblasting, and the fabrication and manipulation of stone benchtops made of engineered stone. Workers in these industries face continuous exposure to silica dust, increasing the change of developing silicosis.
Impact on quality of life: Silicosis can significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals. Breathing difficulties and reduced breathing capacity make it challenging to perform everyday tasks, affecting physical capabilities and overall well-being. The disease can limit a person’s ability to work, participate in activities, and enjoy a fulfilling life.

While some manufacturing plants have adopted methods to prevent silica dust, the Thoracic Society says that many have failed to, leaving their workers dangerously exposed.

Economic and social issues: Silicosis has far-reaching consequences beyond an individual level. Workers with silicosis may face financial hardship due to having to change work, a reduced ability to continue working, and medical care. Families are greatly affected, both emotionally and economically, as they support their loved ones through the difficulties associated with the disease.
Preventable with proper measures: One of the reasons silicosis is considered terrible is that it is largely preventable. Through proper workplace controls, such as effective dust control, wet cutting, adequate ventilation, and the use of personal protective equipment, exposure to silica dust can be minimised. However, if these preventative actions are not used (which is the sadly frequently the case in New Zealand) then unnecessary suffering and loss of life may occur.

This is why medical groups such as the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and others are calling for the outright ban on engineered stone. TSANZ represents all respiratory physicians, researchers and healthcare workers in lung health and believe that a ban is the only realistic solution to stopping silicosis in benchtop workers, although silicosis can occur in many other trades.

We hope that proper prevention of silicosis will mean that you never walk through our members’ doors and become a patient.

Currently, New Zealand and Australian employers have a record of continuously failing in their duties to protect worker safety, and these failures can have catastrophic consequences.

This is why TSANZ is advocating for a total government ban on engineered stone.

In the meantime, recognising the hazards of silica dust exposure and taking proactive steps to prevent and manage silica-related disease is crucial to protect workers and promote safer working environments.