Size matters in new worker tests for dust lung diseases

Testing only accounts for the weight of particles, when size and shape may be equally important in determining safety, experts flagged on Tuesday.

A method of testing developed by the University of Queensland promises to identify a wider range of potentially deadly materials and offer workers in industries such as mining and construction better protection from diseases such as black lung and silicosis.

A large number of workers contracting incurable lung disease silicosis after working with engineered stone prompted a blanket ban on the material in Australia from July 1.

Lead researcher Nikky LaBranche from the University's Sustainable Minerals Institute said the increasing prevalence of dust lung diseases such as this - especially among young Australians - has prompted a new approach by the scientific community.

"Exposure monitoring for dust and silica is currently based on the weight of particles but this overlooks many details that we are beginning to understand have significant health effects," Ms LaBranche said.

The team uses a specialised type of electron microscope, called a Mineral Liberation Analyser, to look in-depth at the size, shape and mineral makeup of particles, as well as their potential to group together.

"This is important because the lighter and smaller particles are more easily breathed in to pose a health hazard, something which is overlooked in conventional weight testing," Ms LaBranche said.

"We could also see that the mineralogy of dust at sizes small enough to enter the lungs is generally of different concentrations than the dust source because some minerals break into the size of concern more easily."

The university is in consultation with a number of mine operators to do the testing at their sites and the team is urging others in similar industries to get in touch.

Australian Associated Press