16 young workers suffering deadly lung disease from kitchen revamps in UK

In August, doctors released a report detailing the first eight cases of silicosis in men cutting engineered – or artificial – stone, which is primarily quartz, a surface which has soared in popularity with homeowners having kitchen refurbishments in recent years.

The majority were migrants working in small workshops who weren’t provided with adequate safety measures, echoing a trend seen in other countries, with an average age of 34 and the youngest aged 27.

One person has died with the disease and two were referred for lung transplant assessment.