Ban on Artificial Stone Worktops Called for to save Workers Lives
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When you get a new kitchen fitted you are probably just thinking about the design, the price and how good it will look when it is finished
And like me you never give the manufacturing process a second thought, and why should you
I did not realise until i read this article that artificial stone and granite worktops contain silica, up to 90%, and the silica dust is breathed in by the workers during its manufacture
This is similar to what happens with asbestos, both causing lung disease , this condition is called silicosis
So now the authorities are considering a ban on artificial worktops for this reason
Australia has already banned its production as from this july
Real stone and granite worktops only contain a small proportion of silica , which is deemed less risky to the workers, but as you probably know they are far more expensive
Of course the workers safety is of paramount importance , but this can only lead to higher priced kitchens for everyone
www.medscape.co.uk/viewarticle/artificial-stone-ban-could-protect-workers-lung-disease-2024a1000efz
MelissaLee1 I dont think you need to worry M, i think its just in dust form and that needs to be in quantity
telmel I've been swallowing everything in sight for donkeys years T.They just cleared asbestos from my bedroom now and the place is in awful state.I'm made of solid stuff thank God.
Why can't they use real stone or granite if that is the finish they want? It doesn't make sense to make it artificially?!
What a coincidence I was just watching an episode of The Good Doctor 
and a patient came into the hospital 
and had that exact health problem needing new lungs.
maybe that’s why it was made into an important storyline on the medical drama! Make people more aware about it! I have not seen or heard about this anywhere else, your post is the second time I’ve heard about it! 
We have granite worktops, never gave the manufacturing a thought to be honest
A friend is a kitchen fitter, although he knows he should wear a face mask he doesn’t!
Pjran I think it is mainly during the manufacturing of the work tops that is where the danger of inhaling the dust more is P as it is on a large scale in a factory , i don't think cutting the worktops to fit would cause too much dust , fitters normally cut worktops outside anyway , saying that , knowing the danger now, if i was a fitter , i would probably wear one anyway if using a circular saw etc and also advise the house owner to keep a distance
Did you see the ITV report on this, talk about fear mongering. They put it over as if anyone 'with' one of these worktops in their kitchen they were in danger of lung disease rather than the poor workers who put them in. ITV can be bloomin idiots at times.
EmmaWright762 It's ridiculous E , once fitted they pose no risk to anyone , its in the factories where the danger is, they are producing worktops there nearly every day of the week , probably none stop , so there will be silica in the atmosphere all the time, i doubt even extraction fans would remove everything and masks would be futile, unless they were full with oxygen tanks
Imagine knowing what we do about asbestos having factories still producing roofs etc made from it , it would not happen
telmel Too right, my Dad died two years ago from asbestos in his lungs. He'd been a builder all his life and it was an awful way for him to go. I hope they are able to sue the backside off of these factories and give the workers compensation now rather than when it's too late.
EmmaWright762 Well said E , and sorry to hear about your dad
I know nothing makes up for the loss of a loved one, but there are channels to go through for recompense in these types of illnesses , i would seek advice if you haven't already
There is no need to reply me on this as it is so personal , hope this helps
PS i know i cannot post a link to any particular solicitor as it is classed as advertising but one i just looked up that deals with this sort of thing gives advice on what to do
It says you have 3 years to put in a claim from the date of diagnosis and you can either claim from the company you worked for or if self employed from the roof manufacturer or anyone associated with supplying the asbestos
Who you call a sillyca oh wait 
Jokes aside it's a bit to late now. Same like it was with asbestos.
Cement from a building site next door also contains silica and no one ban it yet.
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