The dangers of artificial stone for those who cut and install countertops include difficulty catching breath, elevated silica levels, and potential silicosis. “Unfortunately, what is happening in Queensland shows that we will be dealing with hundreds, potentially thousands, of silicosis cases, nationwide…more lives ruined and lost by a disease that should never be occurring," states Tony [...]

Artificial stone manufacturing has led to a re-emergence of silicosis, and this has triggered new interest in the mechanism that silica damages the lung. “Lung transplantation is the main modality for the treatment of end-category silicosis, and it can help patients with end-category fibrosis to live longer…Pirfenidone…approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [...]

Outbreaks of silicosis have occurred among workers in the artificial stone (AS) industry. “Outbreaks of silicosis have occurred among workers in the artificial stone (AS) industry, and there is currently no effective anti-fibrosis treatment for silicosis After treatment for 3-12 months...Tetrandrine can control and delay the progression of artificial stone associated silicosis”...Wen-hong Wu, MD, [...]

Dry processing of artificial stone is a highly hazardous work practice that has been reported in association with silicosis in many countries. “Among 544 stone benchtop industry workers screened, 95% worked with artificial stone … 117 (28.2% were diagnosed with silicosis (median age at diagnosis 42.1 years), and all were male”… Ryan F. Hoy, [...]