Rising Concerns Over Silicosis Among UK Stonemasons

Wessam al-Jundi, a 28-year-old stonemason, is believed to be the first recorded UK worker to die from silicosis, a severe lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust while cutting quartz kitchen worktops. Al-Jundi, a Syrian refugee who had lived in Ealing, London, since 2015, passed away in May 2024, just five days after being admitted to Harefield Hospital while awaiting a lung transplant. His widow, Malak al-Safade, highlighted the dire working conditions he faced, stating, “The coroner has said he was working in terrible conditions with dust all around him and without the proper safety equipment.”

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The issue of silicosis is not confined to the UK. Australia became the first country to ban quartz in 2024 after hundreds of young stonemasons developed the disease between 2015 and 2022. Epidemics have also been reported in Spain, California, Israel, and Italy, with thousands of cases documented. In the UK, the first cases emerged in mid-2023, with at least 50 instances reported so far, prompting concerns from medical professionals about a potential rise in cases.

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In response to al-Jundi's death, the senior coroner for west London, Lydia Brown, issued a rare Prevention of Future Death (PFD) report, urging the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health and Social Care to take immediate action regarding silica dust risks. However, both departments have indicated that the responsibility lies with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The i Paper has launched the "Killer Kitchens" campaign, advocating for stricter regulations and improved health monitoring for stonemasons.

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Dr. Johanna Feary, a consultant in occupational lung disease at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, has expressed significant concern over the increasing number of silicosis cases among UK stonemasons. Evidence suggests that many small firms lack adequate safety measures, such as effective dust extraction systems and personal protective equipment (PPE). The coroner's findings indicated that al-Jundi was working in “completely unsafe conditions to avoid dust exposure.”

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The law firm Leigh Day, representing the Jundi family, has noted that al-Jundi's case is part of a growing trend of quartz silicosis cases they are handling. Solicitor Andrew Cooper emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “Our clients have described working in dust-filled rooms with no windows and no effective dust extraction equipment or respirators.” The ongoing investigation by the HSE into al-Jundi's death underscores the critical need for improved safety standards in the industry.

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• “Speaking publicly for the first time about his death, Mr Jundi’s widow, Malak al-Safade, said: “My husband had worked with stone for many years yet within five years of starting to cut engineered stone he lost his life.” — Malak al-Safade, Widow of Wessam al-Jundi

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• “This just goes to show how serious the risks are for workers and why urgent action is needed to ensure they are adequately protected from this lethal dust.” — Andrew Cooper, Solicitor at Leigh Day

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The tragic case of Wessam al-Jundi highlights the urgent need for regulatory changes and improved safety measures to protect stonemasons from the dangers of silicosis, as the industry grapples with the implications of this emerging health crisis.

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