After years of campaigning from trade unions, health professionals and stonemasions, Australia has announced ban on engineered stone due to its association with severe lung diseases.
The use of crystalline silica in engineered stone will be banned from 1 July 2024. This decision comes after years of mounting evidence linking the manufacture process of engineered stone, popular in kitchens and bathrooms, to debilitating health conditions like silicosis.
So, what does this mean for prospective homeowners looking to build or renovate? What are builders doing to implement these changes, and are there concerns for Australians who already have engineered stone installed in their homes?
What is Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone is a manufactured, composite material. It differs from natural stone, which is naturally occurring and cut from quarries. Instead, engineered stone is composed of finely crushed stone, adhered together by a polymer resin or cement mix. It has been popular for its durability, heat resistance and aesthetic regularity.
In Australia, engineered stone is shipped from countries like Italy and Israel, as raw slabs. Workers then cut, grind, and polish the stone, releasing silica dust. This fine silIca dust is extremely harmful when inhaled over time. Roger Singh, a silica litigation specialist, termed engineered stone as “lethal” due to its high silica content.
Image: a worker polishes stone
Australia Paves the Way
The ban is the result of a prolonged campaign by doctors, trade unions, and workers. Australia's history with asbestos, leading to high rates of mesothelioma and other related illnesses, underscores the importance of early action.
The alarm was first raised in 2015 when an Australian worker developed a debilitating lung disease. Researchers quickly linked this to engineered stone benchtops.
Many workers who have since developed silicosis were under 35, facing fast disease progression and higher mortality. Safe Work Australia's recommendation for a national ban stems from findings that no level of cancer-causing silica is safe for workers.
Implications of the Ban
Effective from 1st July 2024, the ban targets engineered stone containing crystalline silica. While natural stone is an alternative, it is generally more expensive.
Engineered stone benchtops, costing $400 to $600 per square metre, are cheaper than marble ($800 to $3000) and granite ($700 to $1700). However, the ban emphasises that the industry's financial implications cannot outweigh the health costs to workers.
Image: Natural stone being mined at a quarry.
Industry Response
One of Australia’s leading engineered stone providers, Caesarstone, has responded to the ban via their Instagram and FAQs section. They do so with confidence and candour.
The company assures its commitment to safety and innovation. In response to the ban, they “are implementing a plan to transition [their] current, market-leading design collection to a new crystalline silica-free formulation which will retain the same ease of fabrication and functional performance characteristics as current materials. This new material will launch in Australia in the first half of 2024.” Source.
Nevertheless, Caesarstone stock prices have dropped 5.26% in the past 24 hours since the announcement.
Australians looking to build or renovate can be assured that the industry will respond and adapt. These changes are effective from 1 July 2024, so buyers who are undergoing their build currently will likely be able to use mineral surfaces and low-silica stones in the meantime.
Caesarstone in the Home
Are there implications for Australians who already have engineered stone in their homes? The answer is no. There are no health concerns associated with the presence of engineered stone; it is only through the cutting, sanding and drilling of engineered stone that the fine particles of silica are breathed in by workers.
Conclusion
The ban on engineered stone in Australia marks a crucial step towards protecting workers from harmful exposure to crystalline silica.
While this decision disrupts the industry, it prioritises health and safety, reflecting a learning from the country's past struggles with asbestos. As the industry adapts, the focus remains firmly on safeguarding workers and their families from preventable diseases.
In the coming months, home builders will need to adjust their standard inclusions and practices to adhere to these federal regulations. There’s no doubt the industry will bounce back, innovating upon safer materials and manufacturing practices to protect future generations of workers, while providing quality and affordable bench surfaces to Australian homes.
Publisher Website: www.homeshelf.com.au