There are calls to ban this popular kitchen worktop material
Cheaper than granite or marble, engineered stone, typically a composite mixture of quartz, polymers and pigments, has rocketed in popularity in recent years as an affordable, attractive and hardwearing choice for kitchen and bathroom work surfaces. Well-known engineered stone brand names include Caesarstone and Silestone, made by Cosentino. But following a complete ban on the use, supply and manufacture of all engineered stone in Australia in July, medics are now demanding it's outlawed here too, as cases of potentially fatal lung disease, silicosis, are growing amongst our own industry workers, correlating with rise in demand.
What is silica?
The culprit is respirable crystalline silica dust (RCS), both a dust hazard and a carcinogen released during the manufacture and cutting of engineered stone. Workers who cut, shape and finish engineered stone could be inhaling high concentrations.
Silica is a substance naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. If crystalline silica dust gets inside the lungs, it can cause inflammation, gradually leading to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue (fibrosis), according to the NHS.
Symptoms, including a persistent cough and shortness of breath, weakness and tiredness, usually take many years to develop, but can come on occasionally within a few months of heavy exposure.
Kitchen worktops and silicosis cases
Silestone already promotes its low crystalline silica content and Caesarstone is 'on a pathway to a reduced silica product range, with more than 60 per cent of our current portfolio already falling into this category', Jonathan Stanley, VP Marketing at Caesarstone UK & ROI tells House Beautiful. 'Caesarstone Mineral™ Crystalline Silica Free products will be in market towards the end of the year.'
Eight UK cases of silicosis, all men, with an average age of 34, have been recorded by researchers, with one death so far.
'I think there needs to be an urgent focus on this disease,' says Dr Jo Feary, a consultant in occupational lung diseases at the Royal Brompton Hospital in West London, and lead author of the latest research paper on silica and engineered stone.
'What’s really striking is it is affecting young people, in their 20s and 30s, and there's no treatment for it … If they didn’t do their job, they wouldn’t have a disease, and it should be preventable. So we need urgent action.'
The Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF), a non-profit organisation for those using industrial fabrication methods to make worktops from natural stone and similar manmade materials, says that 'occupationally-acquired silicosis' arises when individuals are regularly cutting, grinding or polishing materials which have a high content of crystalline silica, in an unsafe and unprotected environment.
'Silicosis and other diseases associated with RCS are 100 per cent preventable with the correct safety measures, such as wet cutting in place and the use of effective respiratory protection measures,' says a WFF spokesperson.
However, one UK kitchen company, Kent-based Herringbone Kitchens, has already taken the decision to not use any engineered stone with a high silica level.
'There is no such thing as "safe" levels as silica is present in even natural stone,' William Durrant, director and designer at Herringbone Kitchens, tells us. 'However, we understand Australia has decided that anything under 40 per cent silica is considered low levels. This is where Herringbone has decided to benchmark our worktop silica-content too, having banned any worktop with a higher silica-content across the board with immediate effect since February 2024.'
Will the UK support a ban?
In April, William launched a government petition, Ban High-Silica Engineered Stone Worktops, but it was curtailed by the General Election in May and lack of industry support, he says. He plans to relaunch the petition, but acknowledges that already 'the tide is beginning to turn and others outside the industry are supporting this ban'.
William's concern is that some engineered stone companies will try to sell off their stock of high-silica products before any UK ban comes into place. His advice is to always ask about the silica content of engineered stone – checking it's a certified low percentage. Also consider alternative work surfaces such as marble, porcelain and granite.
Are homeowners at risk?
It's stressed that any engineered stone poses no danger whatsoever to homeowners. 'This is an important part, there are no risks to clients once this product is installed and down in the setting,' says William. 'The risk comes when it is produced and cut by stonemasons and dust is created. It is the day-to-day exposure that has deadly consequences. For us, these risks are just too close to home and not necessary when there are alternatives on the market.'
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