The International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) report occupational diseases contribute to nearly 2.5 million annual deaths in mining + metallurgy industries. Exposure to hazardous particulates + gases play a major role in this.

• The ICMM reports occupational diseases are the leading cause of mining & metal fatalities globally
• Occupational diseases contribute to 2.4 million of the estimated 2.78 million annual deaths from occupational injury and illness — over 86%, according to the ICMM
• 25-33% of small-scale gold miners suffer from chronic metallic mercury vapour intoxication according to UN Environment Programme
• 400 million tonnes of minerals are produced in the UK each year according to the Mineral Products Association

• Asbestos particulates
• Copper powder
• Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEE)
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Gold + other mataliferous dusts
• Other airborne dusts + mists

• Carbon Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Mercury vapour
• Methane

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Crushing rock + other raw materials
• Demolition of rock structures
• Use of certain machinery

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Decay of organic matter
• Processing rocks + raw materials
• Use of certain machinery
• Use of diesel vehicles

An estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year according to the British Safety Council, which is generated in various different ways across multiple occupational environments, including stonemasonry and worktop manufacturing.

• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health magazine reports more than 230 million workers worldwide are exposed to crystalline silica each year, linked to engineered stone
• According to British Safety Council, an estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year, with causes  linked to use of engineered stone
• Lung Foundation Australia reports up to 600,000 Australian workers are currently exposed to silica dust with key links to engineered stone use

• Construction dust
• Fine engineered stone
• Respirable dusts
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Drilling + chiselling stone
• Grinding + cutting stone
• Lack of wet methods
• Polishing stone
• Poor ventilation
• Use of engineered stone over natural stone

World Green Building Council reports every year about 100 billion tonnes of hard rock and other raw materials are extracted in quarrying for use across industrial sectors globally. When demolished, drilled into or blasted, these fine materials can become respirable and airborne, posing serious health risks to workers.

• World Green Building Council reports that every year about 100 billion tonnes of hard rock and other raw materials are extracted for use across the buildings and construction sector globally
• UK Green Building Council reports that in the UK, construction, demolition and excavation account for 60% of material use
  
• 1/5 (21%) people in the mining and quarrying sectors have been harmed at work in the past 2 years according to Lloyd’s Register Foundation

• Construction dust
• Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions
• Quarry + aggregate dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Hard rock

• Carbon Monoxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Formaldehyde
• Flammable gases
• Methane

• Cutting into hard rocks
• Drilling into hard rocks
• Demolition of hard rocks
• Use of certain machinery
• Transportation of hard rocks

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Handling hard rocks
• Processing rocks + raw materials
• Transportation of materials
• Use of explosives
• Use of diesel vehicles