Shocking new warning over trendy quartz worktop as 18 cases of deadly lung disease emerge - and two die

A popular type of worktop seen in kitchens up and down the country should be banned due to its deadly effects on lung health, union leaders have demanded. Trendy quartz worktops have been linked to 18 UK cases of a lethal lung disease called artificial stone silicosis, which develops when those manufacturing the worktops breathe in toxic silica dust. It releases silicon dust while being cut, which can raise the risk of lung disease for workers 'Britain must go further still in prioritising the health of workers and ban the use of high silica engineered stone which, as the tragic and preventable deaths show, can be lethal.' His family have since confirmed his death Writing in the British Medical Journal's Thorax, they wrote: ‘Onset of disease is likely to relate to exposure levels, suggesting levels, at least for some of the UK cases…were extremely high and implying that employers failed to control dust exposure and to adhere to health and safety regulations. ‘We believe that this proposal is proportionate and would protect the health of European workers and other workers from across the globe, while encouraging the industry to continue to develop safer products.’ Lung disease expert Dr Johanna Feary, who is currently treating patients with the condition, said there is 'no good treatment' for the deadly disease.