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0 pointsmhb2y ago0 comments

The materials are a second order effect. Undoubtedly breathing granite, soapstone or whatever dust isn't good for you either. Maybe it just takes longer to kill you.

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bagels2y ago

Sure, but the article focuses on "the booming popularity of countertops made of engineered stone", without specifying what that actually is.

How can I avoid buying these products or reduce exposure to these more dangerous materials if I'm a worker? Is porcelain "engineered stone"?

They should have ppe for any cutting, regardless, I agree.

dghlsakjg2y ago

I think the issue is that people are opting for "engineered stone" over wooden laminate which doesn't have the same issue.

So whether it is engineered or natural stone the problem is that stone cutting has dust that needs to be dealt with. But the emerging issue is that with the rising popularity of engineered stone, a higher percentage of countertops overall are hazardous to cut.

bafe2y ago

Isn't soapstone closely related to asbestos? I'd expect it to produce the same type of powder that makes asbestos so dangerous (and on top of silicosis it can give you mesothelioma)

mjh25392y ago

Soapstone is primarily composed of talc. Talc deposits sometimes have asbestos minerals included in them.

Pretty much any aerosolized mineral is going to wreak havoc on your lungs.

bafe2y ago

True, but it seems asbestos because of the particular shape of the fiber is particularly nasty and more likely to cause mesothelioma

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bagels2y ago

Sure, but the article focuses on "the booming popularity of countertops made of engineered stone", without specifying what that actually is.

How can I avoid buying these products or reduce exposure to these more dangerous materials if I'm a worker? Is porcelain "engineered stone"?

They should have ppe for any cutting, regardless, I agree.

dghlsakjg2y ago

I think the issue is that people are opting for "engineered stone" over wooden laminate which doesn't have the same issue.

bafe2y ago

Isn't soapstone closely related to asbestos? I'd expect it to produce the same type of powder that makes asbestos so dangerous (and on top of silicosis it can give you mesothelioma)

mjh25392y ago

Soapstone is primarily composed of talc. Talc deposits sometimes have asbestos minerals included in them.

Pretty much any aerosolized mineral is going to wreak havoc on your lungs.

bafe2y ago

True, but it seems asbestos because of the particular shape of the fiber is particularly nasty and more likely to cause mesothelioma

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse