A new lung disease causing havoc among Australian stonemasons
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382240)
Rockingham, Australia
October 10, 2018 7:36am CST
The photo has nothing to do with the text
I’ve just read in our news today of an alarming warning regarding the risks being run by stonemasons who cut engineered stone to create kitchen benchtops. The silica dust created by the process is causing accelerated silicosis which doctors is the worst occupational lung disease crisis since the asbestosis debacle.
Silicosis is an incurable and often fatal lung disease caused by breathing dust containing fragments of crystalline silica. Silica is round in concrete, masonry, sandstone, rock, paint and other abrasives and is released by cutting, drilling or blasting. So far almost one in three of those workers tested in Queensland have shown signs of the disease.
The upsurge in cases will put huge strains on Australia’s lung transplant capabilities. Doctors are saying that the lessons from asbestos use have been forgotten. They want to see silicosis become a notifiable disease. The risks of contracting the disease can be lessened if the correct mask is worn and if wet processing was carried out, meaning that dust is suppressed by using water on engineered stone rather than cutting it dry.
Opinion seems to be that there will be a lot more cases of this terrible disease. You would think they’d test some of these products a bit more carefully especially those that create a lot of dust in their handling.
15 people like this
13 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
10 Oct 18
Silicosis was common among mine and quarry workers before WW2, these masons need really to wear masks
. I had not done the relation between the water dropped on saws in quarries and the dust provoking silicosis. I was thinking that it was done to cool the saws
.
. I had not done the relation between the water dropped on saws in quarries and the dust provoking silicosis. I was thinking that it was done to cool the saws.3 people like this
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Oct 18
Mask wearing needs to be mandatory.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
10 Oct 18
The problem is how to effectively prevent the silicosis,for instance mask wearing and wet processing .The red fungus looks like glossy ganoderma.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
11 Oct 18
@JudyEv It is a herbal medicine rich in germanium-a microelement.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
12 Oct 18
@JudyEv We use them for treating neurasthenia and adjusting immunity system.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19626)
• United States
10 Oct 18
That is terrible sad now the stone masons having lung disease Judy.
I got a lung disorder from working in a ceramics factory where the dust was thick.
But luckily I was not there that long and got proper immediate treatment of acupuncture and it healed my lungs mostly from the damage done. Altho they will never be the same function.
1 person likes this
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@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Oct 18
They have dozens and dozens of laws but nothing that says masks are compulsory. No doubt they'll change that now but it will be too late for some of the affected men.
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Oct 18
You'd think commonsense would tell them it was a good idea.
@Inlemay (17712)
• South Africa
10 Oct 18
wow, I know that I suffer horribly with allergies when they remodel my bathroom or any other part of the house that needs to be ground so I can just imagine how these men must feel. I carry a mask in my bag for work at the club and at home (high sinus) doctor recommended
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43611)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 18
The guy that put the tile in our old apartment used a water saw. Seemed like the way to go.
1 person likes this
