I spent 35 years working on construction sites and it left me with riddled with cancer at 52 - my colleagues must protect themselves

A man who as worked in the construction industry since he was 16 has urged young colleagues to demand protective equipment on building sites - after developing three deadly diseases, including cancer, caused by toxins he inhaled at work.

Athol Hill, 56, suffers the chronic lung condition silicosis, as well as lung cancer that has spread to his pancreas and resulted in the removal of half his left lung.

The stonemason also developed the autoimmune condition scleroderma in the 2000s; a disease that causes the skin to thicken and harden. In some people, it can result in damage to internal organs.

All diseases are linked to the inhilation of silica dust, a material that is released into the air when cutting materials like brick, concrete, stone, asphalt and tile. 

Silica dust can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irreversible damage over time and leading to serious and fatal respiratory and autoimmune diseases. 

Although Athol says regulations on UK construction sites 'have improved' in the 35 years since he started working, many colleagues are still at risk.

'When you've been in this job long enough, there will be silica exposure. 

'Companies can put all the measures possible in place, but it is still down to the individual. 

Athol Hill has been hit by three conditions related to inhaling toxic particles of quartz worktops

'It's too late for me. But I'm telling the younger guys that they need to pester their employers for the best equipment that's out there, so they can work safely and enjoy a long and healthy career.'

Silicosis remains rare, but health experts are increasingly alarmed by outbreaks among workers cutting engineered-stone kitchen worktops, such as Quartz, which contain more than 90 per ent silica.

While official data show a dozen deaths from silicosis in Britain in 2024, the larger health burden may come from lung cancer. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate around 700 deaths a year are linked to occupational silica exposure.

The dangers have led many medical experts to call for an outright ban on engineered stone.  

'I know a few guys who have died due to (complications from) inhaling silica dust and I just want that to stop,' said Athol. 

'It’s too late for me now… but (I’m sharing my story) for the young guys coming through.'

When Athol first started working as an apprentice stonemason at 16, he said he was 'thrown in the deep end' and was cutting stone from the very beginning of his career.

Athol says he's known colleagues who have died from construction-related illness

At the time, he said there were 'zero safety measures' on sites he worked on, except for a paper mask 'if you were lucky'.

By the end of the 1990s, Athol said he heard about silica dust for the first time after he learnt of older colleagues 'suffering ailments' because of it.

It was around this time that he remembered the company he worked for implementing routine chest X-rays and breathing tests.

This is how Athol came to be diagnosed with scleroderma in 2000, after he noticed his fingers developed hardness and were difficult to move.

By February 2006, Athol said he 'hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in over a year' due to the pain of this condition, which eventually resulted in the amputation of his right index finger.

He said he still suffers 'ulcerations' on some of his fingers.

Athol has undergone regular monitoring on his lung health since 2000 and, it was during one of these scans in 2010 that doctors noticed something suspicious.

A chest specialist called for a  more detailed CT scan, and diagnosed early stage silicosis in both lungs.

Athol said it wasn't until he 'looked into' the disease that he found out 'how dangerous it can be'.

The main symptoms of silicosis are a persistent cough and shortness of breath, weakness and tiredness, according to the NHS.

Over time, the condition causes scarring to the lungs and reduces the amount of oxygen passed from the lungs to the blood. 

The cascade of damage often results in heart failure, serious lung infections and/or high blood pressure in the lung arteries.

Trendy quartz countertops for kitchens have been linked to a spike in silicosis cases among workers 

Athol said his lung capacity was 'less and less' over time.

Then, in December 2021, aged 52, Athol’s rheumatologist noticed a change in his breathing and sent him for a CT scan that showed an abnormality in his left lung.

Further tests confirmed a cancerous growth. 'I was gutted, scared and shocked – all of those words and all of the emotions you can imagine,' Athol said.

'It felt like a kick in the proverbial you-know-what.'

Worse, a biopsy in February 2022 confirmed three malignant tumours. Doctors were forced to remove half of his left lung to ensure all the cancer was destroyed.

Despite medics assuring Athol they'd 'got it all', the lung tumours returned four years later, in April this year. 

Another cancer was discovered in his pancreas, although doctors claimed it was unrelated to his lung cancer. 

Athol had part of his pancreas and spleen removed in September this year is waiting to find out if he can start chemotherapy.

It's likely that the potent cancer treatment will make his silicosis worse. 

Scott McGibbon, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building who previously worked on construction sites himself, is calling for 'stronger government leadership' on the issue. 

'We have an opportunity to prevent thousands of future cases of occupational disease… (but) that requires stronger government leadership, better training, and embedding silica dust management into the way projects are procured, planned and delivered.'

The Workplace Exposure Limit is set at 0.1 milligrams of silica dust per cubic metre of air, averaged over an eight-hour period, and employers are legally required to implement controls including risk assessments, health surveillance for at-risk workers and the provision of suitable respiratory protective equipment.

For high-risk tasks, this often means using air purifying respirators and FFP3 masks – the highest-protection, filtering face piece.

Mr McGibbon has created a toolkit for anyone working on a construction project – both as a professional or DIY at home – to be aware of the dangers posed by silica dust.