Study find health risks associated with artificial stone countertops

WEB DESK: A study found that exposure to dust from artificial stone significantly increases the risk of developing silicosis.

The study documented eight initial cases in the United Kingdom, shedding light on how workers in the artificial stone industry are frequently exposed to high levels of silica dust.

The report noted that these workers often lack adequate protective measures, leading to severe lung damage.

Read more: Study shows democracy reduces conflict in animal groups

“The cases we [have] found show a scary pattern of severe silicosis from artificial stone. We need to act now to fix this”, the study quoted one of the researchers.

The eight men in the study diagnosed with silicosis were all exposed to stone dust for varying lengths of time—ranging from 4 to 40 years, with an average of 12.5 years. Dr Michael Brown, a health expert, stated that “even short exposure can lead to severe problems if the silica content is high.”

These men worked in cutting and polishing artificial stone countertops, a process that creates a lot of dust. “The work involved dry cutting and polishing without proper safety gear. This increases the risk because it creates a lot of dangerous dust.”

The symptoms of silicosis can look like another disease called sarcoidosis, which makes diagnosis tricky. “Silicosis can show up on scans like sarcoidosis, which can lead to misdiagnosis if not properly checked.”

Most of the affected workers were in small companies where safety rules are often not enforced well. “These workplaces lacked proper dust control measures, showing a big safety gap.”

The study also pointed out that current health checks might not catch silicosis early enough. “Chest X-rays after 15 years of exposure might be too late. We need better screening methods.”

Read more: New research finds breakthrough in Parkinson’s disease treatment

One of the researchers in the study called for urgent changes, including stricter safety regulations and possibly banning artificial stone.