Engineered stone: why it's banned in Australia

What is the ban on engineered stone?

Engineered stone is now banned across Australia, meaning its manufacture, supply, and use of this substance are prohibited.

The ban came into effect on 1 July 2024 as a direct response to the growing number of workers diagnosed with silicosis and other silica-related diseases, many at a young age.

What products are excluded from the ban?

The ban does not apply to:

• concrete and cement
• bricks, pavers, and ceramics
• plasterboard
• porcelain products
• engineered stone products containing less than 1% crystalline silica

Minor repairs to, or removal of, previously installed engineered stone is not subject to the ban, but there are rules governing the removal or disturbance of existing engineered stone products.

Why was engineered stone banned?

Engineered stone is most used in kitchen and bathroom benchtops. It’s a manufactured product made by bonding crushed stone with resin.

While popular because it’s affordable, durable, and stain resistant, it was found to pose exceptional health risks to workers because of its very high silica content, often over 90%, far higher than most natural stone.

The ban aims to reduce the prevalence of deadly silica-related diseases going forward, but it will not completely eradicate silicosis. Silica dust exposure can occur across a range of industries, including quarrying, tunnelling, concreting, and construction.

Proper workplace safety procedures are therefore needed in all workplaces to prevent future disease development. 

How engineered stone damages the lungs

When engineered stone is cut, ground, or polished, it releases respirable crystalline silica into the air, tiny airborne particles that lodge deep in the lungs when inhaled.

Over time, this can cause:

• permanent lung scarring
• progressive breathlessness
• serious, often fatal lung disease

The higher silica content of engineered stone, along with high consumer demand, has led to an alarming rate of diagnoses of silica-related diseases among workers in the industry. In some Australian states, it was estimated that up to one in four stonemasons developed silicosis, leading to an urgent national response.

Although some stone companies tried to market forms of stone described as “lower silica alternatives”, their silica content is still high, and these products are very dangerous for those working with them, fabricating them and installing them. The ban helps avoid confusing marketing terms.

Does the engineered stone ban eliminate all health risks?

While the ban is expected to significantly reduce future cases of silicosis, it does not remove all respiratory risks.

A 2025 study by Monash University, using data from a Victorian WorkSafe screening program, found that:

• one in five engineered stone workers reported having asthma
• this is double the rate seen in the general population
• asthma occurred even in workers without silicosis
• workers with higher dust exposure showed signs of airflow obstruction
• over half reported improvement in symptoms on weekends or holidays, a classic sign of work‑related asthma

Researchers also highlighted that engineered stone contains more than just silica.

Can engineered stone and alternative benchtops cause asthma?

Yes. In addition to silica, artificial stone products often contain:

• polymer resins
• epoxy compounds
• acids and other additives

These substances are well‑known causes of occupational asthma in other industries and may still be present in new “alternative” benchtop products entering the market.

Experts have emphasised the need for:

• independent safety testing of new materials
• better recognition of occupational asthma by clinicians
• ongoing monitoring of exposed workers

What are the health risks of silica exposure?

Breathing in silica dust particles can cause many serious illnesses, the most highly publicised being silicosis. This is an incurable lung disease that causes scarring in the lungs. Silicosis causes increasing breathlessness, which is debilitating and can shorten the sufferer’s life.

There are other lung diseases caused by silica exposure, such as lung cancer, chronic emphysema and bronchitis, and progressive breathing impairment. Exposure can also cause autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and sarcoidosis.

Silicosis can develop within as little as one year, but often appears 10 or more years after exposure. There is no safe level of silica dust.

What should you do if you have been exposed to silica or engineered stone?

Not everyone who is exposed will develop disease, but early action is critical. You should:

• record your exposure as soon as you are aware of it
• inform your GP about your work history and exposure levels
• discuss whether ongoing monitoring or investigations are appropriate

Maurice Blackburn operates a free National Dust Register where you can formally record your exposure. 

If you are diagnosed with a silica-related disease

If you are diagnosed with silicosis or a silica-related disease, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

This is a complex area of law with strict time limits that vary from state to state. Early legal advice can help you protect your rights and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Maurice Blackburn’s expert silica disease lawyers can assist.