The family of a stonemason who died from silicosis after cutting quartz kitchen worktops has called for the material to be banned.
Marek Marzec, 48, died in November last year just seven months after being diagnosed with the deadly lung disease from inhaling toxic dust.
The father-of-three had worked for 12 years in London and Hertfordshire with engineered stone, a material that has soared in popularity among homeowners having kitchen makeovers.
Weeks before his death and speaking to The i Paper from his hospital bed, he described being in terrible pain and unable to breathe as his condition worsened.
His family said they were “devastated” by his loss, adding that he came to the UK to build a life and provide financial security for his daughters.
They are backing The i Paper‘s Killer Kitchens campaign, and want the Government – and in particular Stephen Timms, Labour’s minister responsible for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – to introduce laws that strengthen regulations, provide better protection for workers – and ultimately ban engineered stone.
“Marek lost his life to silicosis, an entirely preventable but fatal disease caused by his exposure to silica dust from engineered stone. Our family has suffered unimaginable loss, and we are left feeling grief and anger that no one should have to experience,” they said.
Mr Marzec is among a growing number of young UK stonemasons being diagnosed with silicosis from cutting engineered – or artificial – stone and inhaling high levels of toxic silica dust.
The first cases of silicosis linked to artificial stone were identified in mid-2023, but the numbers diagnosed with the incurable lung disease have now climbed to at least 45, with the average age of tradespeople getting sick just 31.
Senior reporter Joe Duggan has been working to uncover the scandal of engineered stone silicosis in the UK for almost two years. His work was shortlisted for the UK’s version of the Pulitzer Prize – the British Journalism Award for public service journalism. If you have you been affected by this issue, and wish to speak to him, please contact Joe.Duggan@theipaper.com
While the crippling lung disease has afflicted miners and construction workers for decades, doctors say artificial stone silicosis is associated with a shorter duration of exposure, more rapid disease progression and higher mortality.
Cheaper than granite or marble, manmade quartz often has much higher levels of silica than natural stone, raising the risk of silicosis from exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust when cutting.
The father-of-three came to the UK in 2011 from Poland to try and build financial security for his daughters (Photo: Family handout)Safety procedures such as wet cutting and dust extraction help protect workers, but many being diagnosed have worked without any of these safety measures.
But the HSE says banning engineered stone supply does not remove the risk to workers, as natural stone can have a similar RCS content.
Originally from Poland, Mr Marzec spoke to The i Paper in October last year from hospital where he was receiving end of life care. He wanted to warn of the dangers of cutting engineered stone without proper safety measures in place.
He described poor working conditions with dust so thick it was like a “tornado” and said he was unable to see more than three feet in front of him.
He wanted to make sure other stonemasons did not contract the same disease, his family said.
Marek Marzec spoke to The i Paper from his hospital bed in October, just weeks before his death (Photo: Whittington Hospital)They believe there is insufficient regulation of engineered stone despite the risks, as well as inadequate protection for workers.
“We believe Marek’s condition was entirely preventable as, not only were the conditions he worked in appalling, but there were alternative materials available to his employers that would not have put his life at such great risk,” the Marzec family said.
“We are therefore calling for stronger regulations, better protection for workers, and ultimately for a complete ban on engineered stone.”
In July last year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban engineered stone after hundreds of stonemasons, the majority under the age of 35, contracted silicosis.
There have been growing calls in the UK for tougher regulation and for the Government to consider a similar ban here.
Mr Marzec said he had asked for a dust extraction tool at one of the UK firms he worked for, but said he was told that he could leave if he wasn’t happy.
He first noticed he had symptoms while on holiday in 2023, when he went swimming and found he couldn’t cover the same distance as he usually would.
His breathing became more laboured, and on 20 April last year he was diagnosed with acute silicosis. He deteriorated rapidly and his condition became terminal.
“They [the doctors] say I am on my way to death, but when it’s happening, no one can tell,” he said from the Whittington Hospital in October.
“There was a chance I could get a lung transplant, but now I hear that this option is really out. It’s a very difficult situation. I would give anything to continue on living.”
Mr Marzec died on 30 November last year from respiratory failure due to silicosis.
His cause of death was listed as “Artificial Stone Silicosis” on the proposed death certificate.
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He is the second engineered stone worker known to have died in the UK from silicosis linked to quartz worktops, with Wessam al Jundi, 28, dying last May, five days after being admitted to hospital for a lung transplant.
“No-one should have to risk their life in this way when they go to work,” Mr Marzec’s family said.
“We hope that by sharing our story, we can prevent other families having to go through the same heartbreak that we have.
“We want to ensure that Marek’s legacy is that no other stone worker has to suffer and die from silicosis as a result of engineered stone.”
Ewan Tant, a partner at Leigh Day, the law firm representing Mr Marzec’s family, said his death highlighted the dangers of working with engineered stone.
They are representing a growing number of stonemasons taking legal action after being diagnosed with silicosis from cutting engineered stone.
He is now backing the family’s call for stronger regulation and protection for stone workers.
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“They desperately want to ensure no other families are left where they are, having lost a father and a brother in a way which was entirely preventable,” Mr Tant said.
“Marek showed incredible bravery in how he stood up to his illness, but also in sharing his story from hospital to try and help others who could end up in the same terrible position as him.
“Urgent action must be taken to avoid a repeat of this tragedy.”
An HSE spokesperson said: “Our condolences are with anyone who has lost a loved one to silicosis or has been affected by work-related disease.
“We would urge all GB importers and distributors to promote the use of low silica products.
“They lower the risk to workers during processing whilst being equivalent in appearance and durability for their customers.”
The DWP was contacted for comment.
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