In an editorial in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, more occupational medicine experts have urged Europe and other parts of the world to copy Australia's WHS ban on engineered stone. In making this call, they dismiss claims from the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) that the risks are easy to control through standard occupational hygiene practices. According to the BOHS, poor regulation in Australia is the reason why we have had so many silicosis cases in engineered stone industry workers.
Internationally renowned occupational medicine experts, including Professors Hans Kromhout from Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment in the Netherlands, Martie van Tongeren from the University of Manchester's Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health and John W Cherrie from the Institute of Occupational Medicine, point to the very high silica content (up to 95%) of engineered stone. They note that early evidence from Australia “suggests that the ban has already resulted in innovations by the sector to develop new products with no or very low silica content”.
They conclude by supporting a phased ban on artificial stone containing a high proportion of crystalline silica.
Read more: Editorial Should engineered stone products be banned? | Occupational & Environmental Medicine (bmj.com) (Free)