Government must release delayed report into deadly silicosis disease

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An important report into a deadly disease should be made public as soon as it is handed down later this month.

It is well established that the wheels of government turn slowly but they appear to be stuck at a glacial pace on a policy reform which demands absolute urgency.exposed the true scale of the deadly silicosis crisis killing young tradies across Australia. The series revealed how the shiny kitchen benchtops that have become a feature of many Australian homes are being likened to theEngineered stone poses no risk to householders if left in place.

Silicosis is the oldest occupational lung disease in the world. Instead of the number of sufferers falling, it has risen over the past 20 years. This coincides with a government-led infrastructure boom which includes a record number of multibillion-dollar road and tunnel projects across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Many of these projects bore into sandstone, which has high levels of silica.

Symptoms can include a cough, shortness of breath and tiredness. There may be no signs in the early stages but the more the disease spreads through the lungs, the more difficult it is to breathe.Silicosis shares some similarities with asbestosis in that they are both caused by the lung’s reaction to inhaling certain dusts. However, while symptoms from breathing in asbestos do not emerge until decades after the exposure, silicosis can develop in much younger people.

Some states and territories are now agitating for the release of a secret report, while health experts have ramped up their calls for the recommendations to be made public.agrees. There is no justification for the Safe Work report to be kept from Australians before or after the meeting of ministers later this month. It should be released immediately so the public can be part of this important policy debate.

 

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Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »