Artificial stone silicosis
Artificial stone silicosis: A UK case series
Silicosis due to artificial stone (AS) has emerged over the last decade as an increasing global issue. We report the first eight UK cases. All were men; median age was 34 years (range 27–56) and median stone dust exposure was 12.5 years (range 4–40) but in 4 cases was 4–8 years. One is deceased; two were referred for lung transplant assessment. All cases were dry cutting and polishing AS worktops with inadequate safety measures. Clinical features of silicosis can closely mimic sarcoidosis.
BTS Winter Meeting 2025
Wed, 26 Nov 2025
The Lungs at Work team attended, presented and chaired at the most recent British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting between 26-28 November 2025 in Westminster, London.
Our team presented the following abstracts:
Feature in GiST magazine (Issue 49)
Tue, 31 Mar 2026
Our clinical service was recently featured in an article about artificial stone silicosis in
Health effects of silica dust
Wed, 07 May 2025
We have worked with the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) to develop an information document on silicosis from artificial/engineered stone. The document aims to provide background information and practical strategies for occupational health surveillance.
Jo Feary featured in iNews campaign on artificial stone silicosis
Tue, 16 Dec 2025
The i Paper has recently published several articles about silicosis due to artificial/engineered stone. The articles are part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of working with this type of stone, and to improve health surveillance and accountability of UK employers which are still using these products. The i Paper is ultimately calling for ban of artificial/engineered stone in the UK.
Jo Feary featured in iNews campaign on artificial stone silicosis
Mon, 04 May 2026
Dr Jo Feary has been quoted in a recent article published by the iPaper about silicosis due to artificial/engineered stone ("More young men ‘will die’ of kitchen revamp disease as cases go undetected titled" - iPaper, 4th May 2026)
Jo Feary speaks at All Party Parliamentary Party Group on artificial stone silicosis
Mon, 03 Nov 2025
Dr Johanna Feary recently spoke to MPs and peers at the All Party Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on Occupational Safety & Health on Monday 3 November 2025, about the increasing number of patients in the UK diagnosed with silicosis caused by artificial/engineered stone.
Industry experts at the Westminster meeting including clinicians, politicians, union leaders and legal teams came together to discuss the dangers of artificial/engineered stone. Many are calling for a UK-wide ban on these stones with such high silica content.
Jo Feary speaks at annual FOM conference 2026
Thu, 15 Jan 2026
Dr Jo Feary discussed occupational asthma and the rising risks of accelerated silicosis from engineered stone at the recent annual conference hosted by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) for Occupational Medicine Resident and Portfolio Pathway doctors, titled "Occupational Health Horizons: Empowering Tomorrow’s Practitioners".
The conference was held on 15th January 2026 at the University of Warwick, UK.
Jo Feary speaks on podcast
Thu, 30 Oct 2025
Dr Jo Feary was interviewed for the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) podcast on an episode about silicosis due to artificial/engineered stone.
Listen on the following channels:
Jo Feary talks about artificial stone silicosis on BBC Morning Live
Tue, 13 May 2025
Dr Johanna Feary was recently featured on BBC Morning Live at Royal Brompton Hospital to talk about silicosis due to artificial stone, and advises those working with the material to get their lungs checked.
The feature also includes an interview with our patient Ryan, who spoke about how his silicosis diagnosis has affected his life. Nurse Tamanna Kabir was also featured performing spirometry with Ryan.
