In 2024, Australia will be the first country to ban engineered stone countertops.
The ban came after a years-long campaign supported by doctors, trade unions, and workers over concerns that the material was causing increased silicosis cases among workers cutting and handling it.
Health experts, trade unions, and governments in other countries have taken note of the Australian ban and may follow suit by advocating for bans of the popular material.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is working on the issue with its U.S. counterpart, the American Federation of Labor.
The largest U.S. study on health impacts of engineered stone found silicosis caused the deaths of several stonemasons in California since the first case arose in Texas in 2015.
Between 2010 and 2018, fewer than five cases were reported each year in California. In 2022, the number of cases jumped to 20.
Related Stories
| May 13, 2014
19 industry groups team to promote resilient planning and building materials
The industry associations, with more than 700,000 members generating almost $1 trillion in GDP, have issued a joint statement on resilience, pushing design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.
| May 13, 2014
Libeskind wins competition to design Canadian National Holocaust Monument
A design team featuring Daniel Libeskind and Gail Dexter-Lord has won a competition with its design for the Canadian National Holocaust Monument in Toronto. The monument is set to open in the autumn of 2015.
| May 11, 2014
8 starter questions to answer when thinking about building
So, are you ready to start building? Completing these eight questions will help you answer that confidently. SPONSORED CONTENT
| May 8, 2014
Don’t bother planning for the future - it doesn’t care about you
Though strategic planning has helped many businesses move forward, its time has passed. So says Economist and Author Bill Conerly. SPONSORED CONTENT
| May 8, 2014
Infographic: 4 most common causes of construction site fatalities
In honor of Safety Week, Skanska put together this nifty infographic on how to prevent deadly harm in construction.
| May 6, 2014
'Beyond' is artist's cinematic take on 2.5 years of development in the UAE
Seven-minute video offers a time-lapse trip through the built environments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
| May 6, 2014
'Ugliest building in New Jersey' finally getting facelift
After a decade of false starts and mishaps, the American Dream mall in the Meadowlands may finally get built.
| May 5, 2014
Toronto residential tower to feature drawer-like facade scheme
Some of the apartments in the new River City development will protrude from the building at different lengths, creating a drawer-like "push-pull" effect.
| May 2, 2014
Structure Tone pleads guilty to charge of arranging inflated subcontractor bills
Construction giant will pay a $55 million forfeiture after pleading guilty to a charge of arranging inflated subcontractor fees.
