Quotes attributable to ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien: “Recent reports suggest as many as 1 in 5 engineered stone workers are affected by silicosis. Many of these are young workers who will face a lifetime living with the disease, sometimes hoping for a lung transplant. “Exposure to high quantities of silica causes lung cancer, silicosis and autoimmune diseases like scleroderma. These diseases are entirely preventable and the Federal Government must ban high silica content engineered stone products and promote the use of safer alternatives. “Australia has some of the highest rates of use of engineered stone in the world. Australian consumers would be shocked to discover the misery and harm caused by these products – unfortunately, the Morrison Government has failed to educate consumers or ban the product.