Shocking health concerns force IKEA to stop selling this popular product!
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IKEA, the world-renowned Swedish retailer of furniture and other homewares, has been a popular destination for affordable products that suit any design choice and do-it-yourself (DIY) options to elevate your space.
However, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the home improvement industry, IKEA has announced it will phase out engineered stone products from its Australian stores.
This decision comes in response to growing health concerns and mounting calls for a nationwide ban on the material, which has been linked to the deadly lung disease.
Engineered stone, a popular choice for kitchen benchtops and bathroom vanities due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, is composed of small pieces of quartz held together with a resin binder.
However, when cut, drilled, or polished, it releases tiny particles of silica dust that can be inhaled, leading to silicosis—a severe and often fatal lung disease.
IKEA Australia's CEO, Mirja Viinanen, confirmed the company's decision, stating, 'IKEA Australia works with suppliers to supply and install engineered stone benchtops. We work closely with these suppliers to ensure the highest safety standards for environmental and working conditions are followed.’
‘We have been monitoring the issue, including the recent analysis and recommendation from Safe Work Australia on the risks associated with engineered stone products,’ she added.
The move by IKEA Australia to phase out engineered stone products is a proactive one, coming ahead of any government action. Viinanen said, ‘Engineered stone benchtops form just part of the IKEA range, and many alternative materials are available.’
‘We strongly support a nationally aligned approach from governments to provide clarity and ensure coordinated action across the country,’ she continued.
This decision was hailed by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CMFEU), which claimed that there is an ‘unstoppable momentum’ behind the ban on the engineered stone.
‘IKEA now backs what the CFMEU and health experts have been saying all through this campaign: there is no safe exposure to engineered stone,’ CMFEU National Secretary Zach Smith stated.
This news comes after Bunnings announced that they are phasing out the product in their stores by the end of the year.
‘Bunnings and IKEA have beaten our federal, state and territory governments to the punch. We need an immediate announcement from all work health and safety ministers locking in a ban,’ Smith said.
The decision by IKEA and Bunnings to phase out engineered stone is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and health of Australian consumers. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the materials we use in our homes and the potential risks they may pose to our health.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you used engineered stone in your home? Let us know in the comments below.
However, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the home improvement industry, IKEA has announced it will phase out engineered stone products from its Australian stores.
This decision comes in response to growing health concerns and mounting calls for a nationwide ban on the material, which has been linked to the deadly lung disease.
Engineered stone, a popular choice for kitchen benchtops and bathroom vanities due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, is composed of small pieces of quartz held together with a resin binder.
However, when cut, drilled, or polished, it releases tiny particles of silica dust that can be inhaled, leading to silicosis—a severe and often fatal lung disease.
IKEA began phasing out its engineered stone products in their Australian stores. Credit: Seniors Discount Club
IKEA Australia's CEO, Mirja Viinanen, confirmed the company's decision, stating, 'IKEA Australia works with suppliers to supply and install engineered stone benchtops. We work closely with these suppliers to ensure the highest safety standards for environmental and working conditions are followed.’
‘We have been monitoring the issue, including the recent analysis and recommendation from Safe Work Australia on the risks associated with engineered stone products,’ she added.
The move by IKEA Australia to phase out engineered stone products is a proactive one, coming ahead of any government action. Viinanen said, ‘Engineered stone benchtops form just part of the IKEA range, and many alternative materials are available.’
‘We strongly support a nationally aligned approach from governments to provide clarity and ensure coordinated action across the country,’ she continued.
This decision was hailed by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CMFEU), which claimed that there is an ‘unstoppable momentum’ behind the ban on the engineered stone.
‘IKEA now backs what the CFMEU and health experts have been saying all through this campaign: there is no safe exposure to engineered stone,’ CMFEU National Secretary Zach Smith stated.
This news comes after Bunnings announced that they are phasing out the product in their stores by the end of the year.
‘Bunnings and IKEA have beaten our federal, state and territory governments to the punch. We need an immediate announcement from all work health and safety ministers locking in a ban,’ Smith said.
The decision by IKEA and Bunnings to phase out engineered stone is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and health of Australian consumers. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the materials we use in our homes and the potential risks they may pose to our health.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you used engineered stone in your home? Let us know in the comments below.
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