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A well-fitting respirator can reduce the risk. Credit: Shutterstock Silica dust is a very fine dust that is produced when products such as bricks, concrete and pavers are cut or drilled. Artificial stone, which is used primarily for kitchen countertops, is a very strong source of silica dust. Inhaling this dust into the lungs can cause severe long-term damage. This can lead to difficulty breathing, scarring of the lungs (silicosis) and lung cancer. In our recently published report, we estimate that without action, Australian workers will develop over 10,000 lung cancers in the future and nearly 104,000 cases of silicosis over their lifetime due to exposure to silica dust. This is about 1% of all future lung cancers in the Australian adult population. However, banning artificial stone would reduce silica exposure and could prevent 100 lung cancers and nearly 1,000 cases of silicosis over the lifet...

Ghana has reported its first suspected case of Marburg virus disease (MVD), after initial samples were taken from two patients who died after showing positive symptoms for the dengue virus. Key points: WHO says it is working with Ghanaian authorities to prepare for a possible outbreak The Ghana Health Service says no new cases have been reported since samples were taken two weeks ago There are 34 people quarantined The samples have been sent to the Pasteur Institute in Senegal, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Collaborative Center, for processing before being officially confirmed as cases. The patients, who were both from the southern Ashanti region but were not related, were showing symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting. They were taken to a district hospital in the Ashanti area, but later died. “No new cases have been reported since the two samples were taken two weeks ago,” the Ghana Health Service said in a statement. The service said 34 peop...