New research has estimated up to 300 workers across three tunnelling projects will be diagnosed with silicosis,an incurable lung disease.Credit:SMH artists
TheHerald has detailed how workers tunnelling through Sydney’s sandstone heart have been exposed to concerning levels of silica dust.
Fears of a latent public health disaster compounded last month when this mastheadrevealed 13 workers,including a 32-year-old,on the M6 Stage 1 tunnel had been diagnosed with the incurable lung disease since the project began in late 2021.
One in three air quality tests during construction of the Metro City and Southwest exceeded legal limits.
Research published by Curtin University in 2022 forecast up to 103,000 Australians will develop silicosis after exposure to silica dust at work. However,policy responses have focused on those working with engineered stone – nowsubject to widespread bans – and not other types of exposure.
The new research,authored by occupational hygienist Kate Cole,places added pressure on the NSW government to crack down on contracting companies who fail to provide tunnelling workers with adequate protection.
Overall,Cole’s research estimated 30 lung cancer cases and 200 to 300 silicosis cases would arise on the three projects.
“While projects in the state of Queensland are used as an example in this analysis,there are more workers in the tunnelling industry than are included in this study,” the paper read.