21 March 2025
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), which represents occupational and environmental physicians, is calling for a total ban on engineered stone and a national framework to monitor the health and exposure of workers.
This week, the RACP made a submission to a government consultation on working with engineered stone, which contains crystalline silica and has been proven to cause the lung disease silicosis, as well as kidney and heart disease, autoimmune disease and even cancer.
Dr Alexandra Muthu, Co-Chair of the multi-agency National Dust Diseases Taskforce, says “Silicosis is an entirely preventable disease – so why wouldn’t we be doing everything we possibly can to prevent it?
“We support a total ban because there is no safe exposure to silica dust, and keeping a potentially dangerous substance in our workplaces is a gamble with lives we are not willing to make.
“In addition to a ban, we also need a registry to monitor and support people who have already been exposed, or are at risk of developing silicosis or other health conditions.
“We’re calling on an approach that prioritises the health of workers, who should never be at risk of an early death just because of their occupation.
“If there is not a total ban, then vigorous regulation will be required for any replacement material – although we strongly caution against simply replacing engineered stone with ‘low silica’ material, as there is no evidence that material is completely safe.
“We need to learn from the legacy of asbestos – which continues to be responsible for about 220 lost lives per year – and swiftly implement protections for our workers who are at risk of exposure.
“There is no need to allow for such health risks when we know there are safer alternatives.
“Silicosis is also likely to be contributing to health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand, where Māori are more likely to be exposed to workplace hazards compared to non-Māori.
“This is about protecting our workforce and protecting whānau from losing anyone to a preventable disease.
“Australia has successfully implemented a ban on engineered stone – we believe we should follow suit.
“We look forward to working with the government to consult on the health impacts of crystalline silica, and to prevent workers from contracting this deadly disease.
“It is time for the government to take real leadership and implement a solution that will save lives – there is no time to waste,” says Dr Muthu.
The full submission can be found here.