The NSW Government will deliver a $5 million grant to aid silicosis research and support for people affected by the disease.

The funding, to be administered by icare and the Dust Diseases Board, will be provided to the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute over three years to continue its work on disease prevention, diagnosis, therapeutic procedures and treatments for silica-related illness. 

The institute’s work includes accelerating and expanding lab research into early diagnosis of silicosis and potential treatments, reducing diagnostic barriers by establishing a dust disease multidisciplinary team and improving GP education about dust diseases. 

“With this funding, we will put NSW at the forefront of research in this vital area – working with industry partners to better understand the occurrence of silicosis in the community,” state Medical Research Minister David Harris said. “We owe it to our community to do everything we can to find better treatments and improve the health outcomes of those living with a silicosis diagnosis.” 

The funding follows a nationwide ban on engineered stone, announced in December after the product was linked to a rising number of dust-related illness cases, including silicosis.

NSW Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis says more work is needed to help people who are or will be affected by the dangerous product.

“Even after the ban, anyone who has ever worked with engineered stone remains at risk of developing silicosis,” she said.