Respiratory disease - Asthma, COPD, Pneumonia
Dad, 48, Who Developed Lung Disease After Years Of Cutting Trendy Kitchen Worktops Has Died As His Family Issues Warning
A DAD who developed a lung disease after years of cutting kitchen worktops in "appalling conditions" has died, his family have said.
Marek Marzec previously spoke of his fury at the impact of "lethal" dust produced by cutting quartz worktops throughout his career.
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Marek Marzec, 48, was receiving end-of-life care for terminal silicosis at a London hospitalCredit: SWNS
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The dad previously warned about the dangers of cutting engineered stoneCredit: SWNSThe 48-year-old, who was too ill to undergo a potentially lifesaving lung transplant, complained of his previous work conditions and hoped to prevent others from dying by simply "doing their job".
Mr Marzec - given just weeks to live after his condition worsened - was in the process of taking legal action against the companies he used to work for.
Originally from Poland, he had worked for several engineered stone manufacturers in north London and Hertfordshire since 2012.
However, it has now been revealed that Mr Marzec sadly passed away at the Whittington Hospital in London on November 30 from respiratory failure due to silicosis.
The cause of death was listed as 'Artificial Stone Silicosis' on his proposed death certificate, law firm Leigh Day said.
Following Marek's death, his sister Monika Woźniak, who lives in Poland, spoke of the importance of raising awareness about the conditions he worked in, to prevent others from dying similarly unnecessary deaths.
She said: "The family and I are all very saddened by the death of Marek.
"[He] fought so bravely in the face of his diagnosis, as well as for future victims of this terrible condition, by speaking out to the media about engineered stone and the appalling conditions in which he worked.
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Hospitals 'full to BURSTING' as top doctor warns of dangerous 'quad-demic'"Marek was a beloved father and brother who will be missed by all of us, but we are proud of the legacy he has left by speaking up for the victims of silicosis."
Leigh Day is representing Mr Marzec along with several other former stoneworkers similarly diagnosed with silicosis and demanding "urgent" safety changes.
Mr Marzec was diagnosed with silicosis in April earlier this year, with his condition sadly having deteriorated rapidly since.
He was being treated at the Whittington Hospital under the care of leading occupational lung disease expert Dr Jo Feary, from the Royal Brompton Hospital.
However, his silicosis - a long-term lung disease caused by the inhalation of large amounts of crystalline silica dust - had reached such an advanced stage that he was given just weeks to live at the end of October.
A recent study found that stone workers similar to Mr Marzec had developed an acute form of silicosis that causes significant shortness of breath and severe disability, with a lung transplant often being the only way to treat it.
Unfortunately, Mr Marzec was too unwell to undergo such an operation and was placed on end-of-life care.
Leigh Day's legal team say tougher safety measures are urgently needed to halt the growing number of cases of silicosis linked to cutting engineered stone - which has already claimed the life of at least one other stone worker.
Ewan Tant, Mr Marzec's solicitor and a partner at Leigh Day, warned that without these measures, further tragic deaths similar to his late client's would follow.
"Marek was a lovely man and incredibly brave, both in how he stood up to his illness, but also in deciding to tell his story to try to help other engineered stone workers who might end up in the same position as him," he said.
"My thoughts are with his family, in particular his three daughters who have lost their father in entirely avoidable circumstances.
"I hope Marek's death will be a wake-up call to the engineered stone industry and the HSE that urgent action must now be taken to improve workers' safety and avoid a repeat of this tragedy."
Speaking from hospital in October, Mr Marzec had told of being left in "terrible pain" and unable to breathe "simply for doing my job".
"I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life and wanting to make sure that my young daughters were financially secure," he said.
"Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain.
"I cannot tell you how angry I am that I was allowed to work in these conditions and that my life has been cut short simply for doing my job.
"I am not the only person whose life has been put at risk by this lethal dust.
"It is time for urgent action to stop these dangerous working conditions I had to face before other stone workers contract this terrible disease and die."
Lung silicosis: Everything you need to know
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years.
Once inside the lungs, it causes swelling (inflammation) and gradually leads to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue (fibrosis). Lung tissue that's scarred in this way doesn't function properly.
People who work in the following industries are particularly at risk:
The symptoms of silicosis usually take many years to develop, and you may not notice any problems until after you've stopped working with silica dust.
The symptoms can also continue to get worse, even if you're no longer exposed.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of silicosis are:
Source: NHS
Breathing Easier: COPD Symptoms And Treatment
While millions of people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), many don't realize they have it until it reaches an advanced stage. With symptoms like chronic cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue often dismissed as signs of aging or lingering colds, COPD tends to slip under the radar. This leaves patients vulnerable to worsening health and missed opportunities for early intervention.
COPD is a chronic condition that prevents airflow in the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties that can get worse over time. It's one of the top three leading causes of death worldwide. While there's no cure, if the condition is caught early, we can slow the progression of the disease and help patients manage their symptoms, so they don't interfere with their daily lives and prevent them from doing activities they enjoy.
Here's what to look out for, what to do if you notice symptoms, and possible treatment options if the disease progresses.
Early symptoms
Many people are unaware they have lung disease in its early stages. Common symptoms include a persistent cough, ongoing mucus production, chronic chest congestion, and difficulty exercising.
Who's at risk
One of the major and common causes of COPD is smoking. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk of developing a chronic lung condition like COPD. The earlier you stop smoking, the higher your chances of survival with the disease.
Other risk factors include prolonged exposure to fumes, which sometimes occurs through work. Family history and genetics can also play a factor in some cases.
When to seek care
If you notice a lingering cough or symptoms that are not improving, you should see your primary care or family doctor.
If they suspect any lung problems, they can perform a spirometry test, a simple exam that helps diagnose lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath.
If you're diagnosed with COPD or other lung conditions, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler in order to decrease your symptoms. It's important to see your doctor for regular check-ups so they can monitor your symptoms and lungs, and work with you to prevent the disease from progressing.
What to do if you have COPD
When you have COPD, whether it's in its early or progressed stages, you want to limit flare-ups that can lead to trouble breathing and the need for a hospital stay. The key is to avoid triggers that can cause breathing problems.
It's also important to avoid people who're sick, always wash and sanitize your hands, and stay current on vaccinations. With lung disease, a cold, virus, or the flu can hit you harder than others, leading you to get sicker and need to go to the hospital for treatment.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
When you have lung disease, it may be hard to be active or exercise, and many people worry about doing it safely.
During pulmonary rehabilitation, you train and exercise with expert therapists who monitor your lungs, help you build up your stamina, and improve your overall health. They can also advise on breathing techniques that help to minimize flare-ups that can land you in the hospital.
Advanced treatment options
As a lung transplant specialist at Miami Transplant Institute, I also want to stress that while the goal is to catch lung disease early and manage it so it doesn't become a chronic concern, we do have options for people whose disease has progressed to the point where it's unbearable, causing them to need oxygen and daily support.
In these cases, a lung transplant is an option. Recently, lung transplant eligibility guidelines have changed, making it easier for older patients to be considered for a transplant. Our team are experts in caring for people with chronic and progressing lung diseases, including COPD, and is experienced in not only qualifying someone for a lung transplant, but also helping some patients become candidates for the procedure through rehabilitation and medical optimization.
Transplants save and transform lives. Every day, I see patients who once suffered from COPD and are now free from debilitating symptoms, allowing them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Juan Fernandez Castillo, MD, is a transplant pulmonologist and intensivist at The Lung Center at Jackson Health System and Miami Transplant Institute – an affiliation between Jackson and UHealth – University of Miami Health System.
Juan Fernandez Castillo, MD
(Jackson Health System)Women Warned Over Cancer Symptoms You Might See In Your Face That Most People Ignore
Experts have warned that women are 'more likely' to ignore this lesser-known cancer symptom.
While it would be impossible to be aware of every possible symptom of cancer, it is beneficial to know about a few of the lesser-known ones to look out for.
After all, being informed and proactive about symptoms could save someone's life.
And while it can present itself in all sorts of different ways, there is one symptom in particular that experts have warned women are 'more likely' to ignore.
Early detection of cancer can increase chances of treatment being a success, so it's important for people to know the signs.
Health experts are warning that lung cancer can cause symptoms on the face.
Experts are warning of the less-known symptoms of lung cancer. (Getty stock images)This is because small cell lung tumours can block blood vessels in the chest, which prevents blood flow to the face.
It's seen to be a 'common symptom' of lung carcinoma, which definitely shouldn't be ignored.
The Reynolds Cancer Support House website said: "Some patients with lung cancer report noticing puffiness, swelling, or redness in the face."
When the cells are affected by cancer, red facial flushing, diarrhoea and wheezing are all common.
But there is also research on the psychological effects that this symptom can cause.
It's important not to ignore symptoms out of fear, as screening tests can detect malignancies in their earliest stages. But lung cancer isn't the only form of the disease that health professionals are warning about.
Women are 'more likely' to ignore this symptom. (Getty stock images)Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can be found anywhere in the large bowel, including the colon and the rectum. If left untreated, the disease can develop, eventually infecting lymph nodes and other organs.
And a new study has revealed that one ingredient could be connected to a rising number of colon cancer cases in Gen Z.
Certain kinds of cooking oils are the ingredient currently being looked at - as some experts warn of their connection to increased cancer risk.
Dr Karen Zaghiyan uses TikTok to promote accurate health advice, and has also issued a warning about the increase in cases of bowel cancers in young people.
The expert said in a video posted earlier this month: "We're seeing an alarming rise in young onset colorectal cancer.
"While nobody totally knows why exactly we're seeing this, a lot of people are suggesting - and the research shows - that perhaps it may be related to what we're eating."
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