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Ban the bench: Scientists bid to stop cancer-causing building material
Unions and researchers are calling for a ban on engineered stone benchtops as new modelling predicts thousands of Australian workers could develop lung cancer after being exposed to silica dust.
Curtin University researchers say more than half a million Australian workers are currently being exposed to the dust, which is linked to the deadly lung disease silicosis as well as lung cancer.
There are calls to ban engineered stone benchtops as modelling predicts thousands of Australian workers will develop lung cancer or silicosis due to exposure to silica dust.Credit:
In a study released on Tuesday, commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, lead researcher Dr Renee Carey said modelling predicted more than 10,000 Australians would develop lung cancer and up to 103,000 silicosis after being exposed to silica dust at work.
Carey said a ban on engineered stone could prevent about 100 lung cancer cases and 1000 silicosis cases.
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Lin Fritschi, a co-author of the study, said while a complete ban of engineered stone was the best option, it was possible to reduce the health impacts on workers through improved workplace safety measures.
“The damage from other types of silica-containing materials could be reduced by using better dust suppression techniques on mine and construction sites, and using wet-cutting during concrete cutting and grinding,” he said.
The researchers took the number of people exposed to silica dust in 2016 and, using existing studies, calculated their risk of developing associated diseases before measuring that data against how many cases were reported in the population in their modelling.
Silica dust is produced by many building products, but engineered stone – a composite of crushed stone, often quartz, bound with resin – is a particularly potent source.
A June 2021 report to the federal Department of Health urged “immediate action” to better protect workers from an “unacceptable re-emergence of silicosis in Australia”.
The independent National Dust Disease Taskforce, helmed by several eminent Australian health figures, recommended strengthened work health and safety measures, better monitoring and checks on workers’ health, and more industry regulation.
It also flagged a ban of the importation of engineered stone products by 2024 if there was no improvement in regulatory compliance and evidence indicated preventive measures were not sufficiently protecting workers.
“The significant rise in cases of accelerated silicosis has been associated with the increased importation and use of artificial or engineered stone in Australia,” the report stated, noting there were still questions over whether resins used in the product also contributed to silicosis, or if it was solely the silica content.
Carey said natural stone, which still contained silica but a much lower level of silica dust, was an alternative for the industry, and there were new products which used crushed glass rather than stone or had different formulations.
ACTU assistant secretary Liam O’Brien said workers across a range of industries were exposed to hazardous levels of silica dust, and stronger health and safety laws were needed to protect them.
“A ban on engineered stone, along with stronger protections for all workers in all industries will prevent a projected 100,000 cases of silicosis in coming decades,” O’Brien said.
“We can take this simple step now to protect workers from an incredibly dangerous product which has already shortened the lives of too many.
“We have a chance to prevent illness and suffering for a generation ... if we act now to keep workers safe.”
Safe Work Australia is currently calling for public submissions on managing silica dust in the workplace. The consultation period is open until August 15.