Doctors are urging a ban on a popular bench top material - warning the health of tradies, is at risk

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is calling on the Government to follow Australia's lead in banning engineered stone, over its links to the incurable lung disease silicosis .

It also wants an official registry of people who have been exposed to silica dust - a particle released when working on the material.

A spokesperson says inhaling even small amounts of the dust, has been linked with silicosis and other conditions including cancer and heart disease.

They say a number of tradies in Australia have died early deaths as a result of prolonged exposure.