A MAN is on his deathbed after developing a lung disease brought on by years of cutting kitchen worktops.
Marek Marzec, 48, is receiving end-of-life care in a London hospital after being diagnosed with silicosis in April this year.
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Marek, who spent 12 years in London and Hertfordshire cutting engineered stone slabs, complained of “appalling” working conditions.
The dad-of-three is among a growing number of tradesmen diagnosed with the incurable disease after inhaling toxic dust while cutting quartz-engineered – or artificial – stone worktops.
The material has already been banned in Australia, where it was described as the next asbestos after hundreds of suspected cases were identified.
Law firm Leigh Day is representing Marek along with several other former UK-based stoneworkers also diagnosed with silicosis and demanding “urgent” safety changes.
Read more on lung disease
Markek’s silicosis has progressed to such an advanced stage that doctors have given him just weeks to live.
A recent study found that stone workers developed acute silicosis, causing severe breathlessness and disability, with lung transplants often being the only treatment.
But unfortunately, Marek was too unwell to undergo such an operation.
Speaking from Whittington Hospital, Marek said he had been left in “terrible pain” and unable to breathe “simply for doing my job”.
“I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life and wanting to make sure that my young daughters were financially secure,” he said.
“Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain.
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“I cannot tell you how angry I am that I was allowed to work in these conditions and that my life has been cut short simply for doing my job.
“I am not the only person whose life has been put at risk by this lethal dust.
“It is time for urgent action to stop these dangerous working conditions I had to face before other stone workers contract this terrible disease and die.”
Leigh Day solicitors are handling lawsuits from men, including some in their 20s, who have developed the illness.
‘Totally unfit for purpose’
Ewan Tant, Marek’s solicitor and a partner at Leigh Day, warned that without tougher measures, further deaths could be seen in the coming years.
“This is a tragic case, with my client now on end-of-life care as a result of working with engineered stone, in what he alleges were appalling conditions, totally unfit for purpose,” Ewan said.
“No one should end up facing the bleakest of outcomes simply as a result of going to work.
“We are deeply concerned that, unless something is done to address the dangers of working with engineered stone without proper protection, we may be looking at more cases with similarly appalling – and potentially fatal – outcomes in the near future.”
Lung silicosis: Everything you need to know
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years.
Once inside the lungs, it causes swelling (inflammation) and gradually leads to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue (fibrosis). Lung tissue that’s scarred in this way doesn’t function properly.
People who work in the following industries are particularly at risk:
- Stone masonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone
- Construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials
- Worktop manufacturing and fitting
- Pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing
- Mining and quarrying
- Sandblasting
The symptoms of silicosis usually take many years to develop, and you may not notice any problems until after you’ve stopped working with silica dust.
The symptoms can also continue to get worse, even if you’re no longer exposed.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of silicosis are:
- A persistent cough
- Persistent shortness of breath
- Weakness and tiredness
Source: NHS
