Are The Block’s Benchtop’s Unsafe?

The Victorian Trade Hall Council (VTHC) have disputed claims by the reality tv show “The Block” that engineered stone benchtops are safe, ‘just like beach sand.’

The Australian Engineered Stone Advisory Group (AESAG) shared a petition claiming a ban on engineered stone benchtops ‘won’t solve silicosis’ and expresses concerns about a wholesale ban, which they claim is ‘unnecessary’ and ‘excessive’ and won’t address the serious issue of silicosis as it overlooks silica exposure in construction.

The VTHC admits that silica exposure occurs in other industries, including in mining, tunnelling and quarries, but the massive increase in silicosis amongst predominantly young men can be traced back to exposure to the silica in engineered stone.

Aside from Silica, engineered stone has other hazards that are only beginning to be understood. New research indicates that engineered stone produces ultrafine particles along with volatile organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and metals when it is processed. These may contribute to the accelerated silicosis seen in engineered stone workers.

The VTHC concludes that the Elimination of the use of engineered stone is by far the safest way to proceed.

See the full article by VTHC here.