A new study warns that several British men are developing a rare lung disease called artificial stone silicosis from working with fake marble and granite. The UK has reported its first death and 11 cases of this disease, with patients averaging just 34 years old. Artificial stone silicosis causes hard-to-treat lung scarring and injuries from inhaling silica dust.
Experts on lung disease highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that young men who have worked with fake marble and granite for only a few years are being affected. The disease has no effective treatment and continues to worsen even after exposure stops. Experts are calling for a ban on quartz materials in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent an epidemic similar to asbestos-related diseases.
High-silica artificial stone, commonly known as quartz, is popular because it looks like marble and granite but costs less. Despite Britain’s legal limits on silica dust exposure, enforcement is challenging, and these limits are often exceeded. A recent study of men aged 27 to 56 suggests a potential rise in silicosis cases if preventive measures are not improved.
SOURCE: