Engineered stone will soon be banned in Australia. Here's why and what alternatives you can use.
This week, Australia became the first country in the world to announce a ban on engineered stone.
Affordable and durable, the material has become a staple in many home kitchen and bathroom renovations.
But as of next July, it'll be off the market.
Here we look at why it's being banned, what alternatives there are, and what it could mean for your next home renovation.
What is engineered stone?
Engineered stone is a material made by mixing crushed stone with a resin binder.
It usually contains about 90 percent crushed quartz, with the rest made up of metals and coloured glass.
One of the best-known brands is Caesarstone, but there are many other suppliers.
Why is engineered stone being banned?
The decision to ban it has been years in the making.
Back in 2015, an Australian worker developed silicosis – a long-term and fatal lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust — after working with engineered stone.
It was the first reported case linked to the material.
Since then, hundreds more cases have been diagnosed, with the ABC revealing yesterday that there are almost 700 accepted workers compensation claims for silicosis.
Mounting evidence showing the dangers of silica dust earned it a chilling moniker: the "asbestos of the 2020s".
Australia's government WHS agency, Safe Work Australia, investigated the issue earlier this year, and made these findings in a report released in October:
- Engineered stone workers develop silicosis at a "disproportionate" rate compared to other industries
- Most engineered stone workers who developed silicosis were under 35
- Engineered stone workers face a faster disease progression (which means they become unwell more quickly) and a higher mortality rate (which means they are more likely to die) than silicosis victims in other industries
Overall, the report concluded that "the use of all engineered stone should be prohibited".
On Wednesday, Australia's workplace ministers heeded Safe Work's recommendation and unanimously agreed to implement a national ban.
What is silicosis and what does engineered stone have to do with it?
Silicosis is caused by breathing in silica dust, a fine powder which can settle in the lungs.
Victims may not have any symptoms at first, but over time it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and tiredness.
The symptoms can become more severe as the condition progresses, and may lead to a premature death.
Working on or cutting engineered stone — particularly when using a circular saw or a grinder — generates this fine silica dust.
Safe Work's report said engineered stone was associated with a much higher risk of silicosis than other products.
While many materials contain some level of crystalline silica, engineered stone generally contains a higher percentage — sometimes more than 95 percent.
What alternatives are there to engineered stone?
There are a few alternatives, including:
- Porcelain
- Natural stone (such as marble, granite or sandstone)
- Laminate
- Tiles
- Concrete
- Wood/timber
The best option for you would depend on your budget, what room you want to install it in, and what kind of look you're going for.
Porcelain could work if you're looking for a durable benchtop with a similar look to engineered stone, says George Fadel, the general manager of a joinery company in Melbourne.
However, the engineered stone industry says the alternatives can be expensive, more fragile, or more difficult to process.
Some natural stone alternatives also contain silica.
Do I need to get rid of my stone bench?
If you already have engineered stone in your home, you don't need to remove it.
The ban will only apply to future projects.
However, if you are planning to remove or work on your current benchtop, you'll need to be careful.
"Engineered stone by itself is safe in your in your home. The challenge is if you need to remove it," occupational hygienist Kate Cole said.
If you need to remove an engineered stone benchtop, Ms Cole recommends taking it out in one piece to avoid cutting it up.
If you need to do work involving cutting or sawing it, Ms Cole recommends engaging a qualified stonemason who has experience working on engineered stone.
She says any work needs to use "wet cutting", which reduces the amount of silica dust released, and sophisticated equipment to capture any engineered stone "slurry".
Ms Cole also recommends making sure you and your family are not at home when the work is taking place.
The construction union wants engineered stone removal to be treated the same way as asbestos removal.
"It's important that people that are properly trained and qualified handle this product into the future because it still will pose a risk to anyone working with this product into the future," Zach Smith from the CMFEU said.
What has been the response?
Unions, legal firms and health groups have all hailed the move as one that will save lives, but that comes too late for those already affected by silica dust.
The leader of Shine Lawyers' dust disease team Roger Singh warned there was a "generation of pain and suffering" yet to run its course.
"It can take years for diseases like silicosis … to become apparent, so the reality is young lives will continue to be destroyed well into the future," he said.
Safe Work Australia acknowledged the "real and relevant" cost to the stone industry but said it "cannot outweigh the significant costs to workers, their families and the broader Australian community."
Engineered stone manufacturer Caesarstone said it was disappointed to see a ban "on only one type of product containing crystalline silica" and the "piecemeal" measure would see workers continue to be exposed to the risks of silicosis.
It also said the move didn't address "the real cause" of rising silicosis rates – poor compliance with and enforcement of safety standards – and the six-month transition window was too short.
What happens now and what does this mean for future homes?
The ban will start on July 1, 2024 in most states and territories, with people advised not to order any engineered stone after January 1, 2024.
Businesses and consumers have been warned against rushing to order engineered stone before the ban kicks in, with governments saying contracts may not be able to be fulfilled in time.
The Housing Industry Association said a "comprehensive industry transition plan" was needed.
"There is a significant volume of new homes and apartments currently under construction and scheduled to be built over next few years," the association's managing director Jocelyn Martin said.
"The industry, and in turn home owners, need certainty on the availability and suitability of alternative benchtop products to ensure these homes can continue to be built and not face significant disruptions or delays."
Workplace ministers will meet again in March 2024 to finalise more details of how the ban would work, including the transition period.
Health experts and advocates have also called for a change in the way hazards are identified in the workplace.
"We need the government to provide ongoing screening for workers at risk of silicosis, and really importantly, funding for research to find treatments for silicosis," said respiratory physician Ryan Hoy.
"We can't be waiting for people to become sick and die and then react – we need a proactive approach."
