Stone Kitchen Benchtops Are Causing Lung Disease Crisis

Leading physicians say that Australian stonemasons are facing the biggest lung disease crisis since asbestos, due to crystalline silica in popular stone kitchen benches.

Last month 22 silicosis claims were lodged to WorkCover in Queensland, including six people who have been diagnosed as terminal, leading to state government intervention.

Over the past three years in Victoria there have been 16 silicosis claims by stonemasons, and 23 claims in New South Wales.

Stonemasons dry cutting stone bench tops are now at serious risk of the irreversible condition, which is contracted by breathing in tiny particles of silica dust that settle in the lungs.

The aggressive form of pneumoconiosis, is a disease with no cure that traditionally affects coal mine workers.

“I’m expecting another 300 cases in Queensland by December alone. It’s horrendous, it’s alarming. Fifty per cent of those are going to have progressive massive fibrosis,” Brisbane occupational physician Dr Graeme Edwards told ABC's 7.30 report.

“The reason why it’s a public emergency is because the system in Australia currently can only can accommodate about 200 lung transplants a year.”

“We’re going to be adding another 130 who will be lining up for lung transplants in the next three to five years.”

Calls have been made for the government to develop regulations to explicitly ban the practice.

Lung Foundation Australia chief executive Mark Brooke said occupational exposure contributes substantially to the burden of lung disease in Australia and is a growing issue that needs attention.

“Symptoms from silicosis may not be obvious and can initially include shortness of breath, chest pain, or a persistent cough,” Brooke said.

“The condition can be severe enough to cause respiratory failure, which may eventually lead to death.”

Engineered stone is becoming more common as a cheaper substitute to marble benchtops, but is made of around 90 per cent crystalline silica, one of the major causes of silicosis.

Both the Thoracic Society and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians are calling for immediate changes, including respiratory health assessments of all past and present stone workers, more vigilant and independent monitoring of dust levels, and an immediate ban on dry cutting.