3 ms·
I wish it was more specific about the materials.
by bagels 3y ago
I wish it was more specific about the materials.
- pixl97 3y agoAnything that contains silica... which includes concrete, practically anything stone based. This has nothing to do with this material being particularly dangerous above and beyond what is expected with any material cutting. You should not be cutting anything at the industrial scale without proper PPE.
- mhb 3y agoThe materials are a second order effect. Undoubtedly breathing granite, soapstone or whatever dust isn't good for you either. Maybe it just takes longer to kill you.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- bafe 3y agoIsn't soapstone closely related to asbestos? I'd expect it to produce the same type of powder that makes asbestos so dangerous (and on top of silicosis it can give you mesothelioma)
- mjh2539 3y agoSoapstone is primarily composed of talc. Talc deposits sometimes have asbestos minerals included in them. Pretty much any aerosolized mineral is going to wreak havoc on your lungs.
- bafe 3y agoTrue, but it seems asbestos because of the particular shape of the fiber is particularly nasty and more likely to cause mesothelioma
- bagels 3y agoSure, but the article focuses on "the booming popularity of countertops made of engineered stone", without specifying what that actually is. How can I avoid buying these products or reduce exposure to these more dangerous materials if I'm a worker? Is porcelain "engineered stone"? They should have ppe for any cutting, regardless, I agree.
- dghlsakjg 3y agoI think the issue is that people are opting for "engineered stone" over wooden laminate which doesn't have the same issue. So whether it is engineered or natural stone the problem is that stone cutting has dust that needs to be dealt with. But the emerging issue is that with the rising popularity of engineered stone, a higher percentage of countertops overall are hazardous to cut.