This subject
has been in the news a lot lately. It’s an issue which greatly affects my
industry from the initial product specification stage to the end manufacturing-
which is where the disease is occurring.
It relates
to the silica content in the dust of quartz, sand, stone, soil, granite, brick,
cement, grout, mortar and bitumen. But it’s the engineered stone benchtops that
have been causing the most problems. I don’t see the demand for stone benchtops
declining at any stage in the future.
However the
past couple of years has seen the trend swing back to the natural stone for
benchtops as opposed to the engineered stone. The reason for the resurgence of
natural is riding on the 70’s design trend going through, which heavily
features stone but also celebrates the uniqueness of each stone slab.
Engineered
stone was invented for numerous reasons. It enabled a consistent finish to be
guaranteed. If you wanted a particular colour or pattern heaviness in the stone
slab you could specify it and know you would get that. If you are using real
stone slabs you need to go to the actual stone mason and reserve your specific
slab if you wish to ensure you get that exact pattern appearance. The natural stone could not guarantee exact
colours and patterning. The natural was also limited by the amount found in
nature. Some stones are very expensive because they are rare and found in one
off locations in the world.
Manufactured
stone enabled the creation of a similar look to the real but could be provided
as an endless supply.
The
manufactured stone is a much stronger product than some types of natural stone,
which may have cracks and fissures resulting in higher breakage and therefore
replacement costs.
Silica does
occur in natural stone, however it’s usually around 30% silica. The
manufactured stone is has approx. 80% or
higher silica due to the formula.
How does the
building industry keep up with the demand for a product while eliminating the
dangers of manufacturing the product?
For a while
now the major engineered stone companies have been creating new products with a
lower silica content. Smartstone
have a range with the stone image printed onto the top surface and allowing
them to decrease the silica in the substrate. Caesarstone
are also working on new products which
will have at least 40% or lower silica content. That is the percentage they are
expecting the governments to regulate.
The other
initiative which has been implemented for a while is safer handling procedures
to manufacture with this product. I must say that any stone masons I’ve worked with
over the years have been very professional and run wet cutting procedures. This
is a proper way to cut as it eliminates the deadly dust. However there have
been some manufactures who have not wanted the expense of setting up a wet
factory and cut dry.
I’m keen to
see how this all develops as I know we can’t simply outlaw stone benchtops.
