Multiple chemicals in engineered stone could be a silicosis risk, raising questions about alternatives

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-12-04 03:00

Australia; SA; TAS

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Australian researchers have found that it may not just be the quartz, or silica, in engineered stone that is causing the lung disease silicosis, raising questions about the safety of alternative products. The researchers found that aluminium and cobalt in the engineered stone were associated with cell toxicity. The authors say the outcomes of this study challenge the common view that reducing the crystalline silica in engineered stone benchtops will eliminate disease risk.