Incurable Lung Disease: Trendy Countertops with a Toxic Secret

Artificial stone, used predominantly for kitchen worktops in the UK, is under scrutiny for causing silicosis, an incurable lung disease.

Recent cases highlight its danger, particularly due to high silica content and inadequate safety measures during its cutting and polishing. Despite known risks, regulation remains lax, especially in small companies, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and possibly a ban similar to Australia’s forthcoming 2024 prohibition.

It may now be time to ban artificial stone—a firm favorite for kitchen counters in the UK— to ward off the incurable lung disease caused by its manufacturing and fitting, say a team of doctors in the journal Thorax after treating the first 8 cases of artificial stone silicosis reported in the UK.

Silicosis is caused by breathing in crystalline silica dust, and millions of people around the world are at risk of developing it as a result of their jobs in mining, quarrying, stone-cutting, and construction, they note.