A Gold Coast stonemason, who died from the lung disease silicosis, is being remembered for publicly exposing the dangers of silica dust, amid what's being described as a "nationwide epidemic".

Anthony White, who spoke to the ABC in February about his health battle, died last Saturday.

He was the first person from the engineered stone industry in Queensland to die from the disease, but his family have warned he will not be the last.

His death comes after a Queensland Government audit of the state's stone industry found 98 workers had contracted silicosis, with 15 of those cases considered terminal.

Mr White's brother Shane Parata — who has also been diagnosed with silicosis — said he was frustrated by the lack of change in the industry.

Antony White's brother Shane Parata has also been diagnosed with the disease. ( ABC News: Elise Kinsella )

"I know of at least 30 people personally who have the disease, and that is around me, and plus there are other mates who used to do the trade who are also getting tested," he said.

"I have been angry for so long, I don't want to be angry no more.

"I am just frustrated that it has taken for him to pass now and there is still no major real action.

"My brother is not going to be the only one who passes from this disease and from the product that it is, you'll see there will be a lot more very shortly."

Silicosis is an incurable and often fatal lung disease caused by breathing dust containing fragments of crystalline silica, which is found in manufactured stone kitchen benchtops and bathroom vanities.

Silicosis is caused by breathing dust from manufactured stone benchtops. ( ABC News )

Issue needs to be addressed on a national scale

Mr Parata wants national regulation of the industry, with Shine Lawyers' Roger Singh — who represented Mr White — backing the call.

"There has been insufficient regulation of the industry, where unsafe work practices have been allowed to flourish for so many years," he said.

"As a result of that workers have been exposed to toxic silica dust, particularly when cutting and fabricating engineered stone.

"That stone contains 90-95 per cent silica content, which is lethal."

Mr White has been remembered by Mr Parata, as "generous, kind, respectful, a big bro, a great person" and praised him for speaking publicly about the illness.

"He wasn't a fan of being in the spotlight but at the end of this, I believe he is saving lives," he said.

Mr Singh said the issue needed to be vigorously addressed nationally, rather than leaving it to each individual state and territory.

"This is an epidemic that is affecting all states and territories, it is a nationwide epidemic," he said.

"It is high time that regulation was rolled out and a co-ordinated approach from a federal level."

Queensland Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace, said she was deeply saddened by Mr White's death.

"On behalf of the government, I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends," she said.

"Even in the face of immense personal tragedy, Mr White showed incredible bravery in highlighting the deadly consequences of prolonged and unsafe exposure to silica dust.

"We owe it to all victims and families who are impacted by work-related deaths to do everything possible to prevent further tragedies and ensure that employers meet their obligations to provide safe workplaces."