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Discussions are ramping up over a potential blanket ban on the use of all engineered stone, over its links to the deadly lung disease silicosis.
Federal, state and territory workplace ministers met today to review a report from SafeWork Australia, which has recommended banning the product, irrespective of crystalline silica content.
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in small particles of silica dust.
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Inhaling the dust causes inflammation which over time, leads to scarring of the lung tissue, which causes stiffening of the lungs making it difficult to breathe.
"Engineered stone is physically and chemically different to natural stone," the report notes.
"The high levels of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) generated by working with engineered stone, as well as the differing properties of this RCS, are likely to contribute to more rapid and severe disease.
"There is no toxicological evidence of a 'safe' threshold of crystalline silica content in engineered stone, or that other chemicals found in engineered stone do not pose a health risk to workers."
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Stone worker of 17 years Russell Vine said a total ban is the only way forward.
"If we don't do something now then there's going to be a lot more workers diagnosed with this disease and the suffering will go on," Vine told 9News.
"We just need to stop it now and move forward.
"It's time to call a ban on it, I think there's no other way."
Another meeting is expected before the end of the year to decide on a ban.
