Durable, low maintenance, and stunningly beautiful, for a long time now engineered stone has been the benchtop of choice for discerning home builders with an eye for luxury, but this could be about to change, due to the effect of silica dust on the lungs of fabricators.
Comprised of crushed stone mixed with polymer resins and pigments, the colour and texture options of engineered stone have made them a popular option for even the most discerning kitchen designer. And while stone benchtops are typically less resistant to heat damage than porcelain, this popular non-porous material is pretty much impervious to scratches and stains, and will never require sanding or sealing.
The bad news? Silica dust is not great for the lungs. The production of engineered stone was banned in Australia in July of this year, the first country to do so, and we can only assume that New Zealand will eventually follow suit.
The cutting, grinding, and polishing of engineered stone can release respirable crystalline silica dust, which is harmful when inhaled, and prolonged exposure can lead to serious respiratory conditions, including lung cancer and incurable silicosis. To make matters worse, the silica particles produced in the manufacture of engineered stone are especially fine, which makes it easier for them to find their way through protective masks and into the lungs.
The Kiwi attitude of “she’ll be right” certainly isn’t helping the issue, with Worksafe claiming that over three-quarters of New Zealand businesses had to be issued with improvement notices in 2023. Obviously, it is crucial for fabricators to use appropriate protective equipment, such as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and for factories to implement proper dust control measures, including wet-cutting methods and ventilation systems. However, realistically it will never be possible to completely negate the harmful effects of silica inhalation.
Unfortunately, engineered stone won’t be winning any awards from an environmental perspective either, with the extraction of its raw materials and the manufacturing of resins requiring substantial energy consumption. The process of acquiring these materials is also detrimental to both groundwater systems and natural landscapes.
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is calling for New Zealand to follow Australia’s lead and ban engineered stone altogether, pointing out that the health of factory workers is more important than a homeowner’s desire to make a fashion statement.
The good news? There are a number of companies out there that are working to make engineered stone friendlier, both to workers’ lungs and to the planet. For prospective home builders who love the look and feel of engineered stone – and let’s face it, that means pretty much everyone – companies like Silestone are creating engineered quartz benchtops that are made using 100% renewable energy and over 90% recycled water. Just as importantly, products like these can boast a reduction in dangerous silica particles of up to 80%, so it’s good news for the manufacturer’s lungs.
Another option for a beautiful and functional kitchen bench that looks like stone is porcelain. Porcelain benchtops have a very similar aesthetic to engineered stone, with the additional benefit of being super heat resistant, and with its clay base, porcelain is a particularly environmentally sustainable material. Both Silestone and porcelain come in a variety of colours and textures, both materials offer exceptional durability, and there are plenty of options available in New Zealand for interested architects, builders, and homeowners.
Talk to the team at Sydenham Bespoke Joinery about benchtop options for your next kitchen. With decades of design experience behind us and an intimate knowledge of the latest trends in interior design, we can guide you through the process from start to finish, regardless of taste and budget.