Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has called on state workplace regulators to immediately investigate the risk of silicosis for stonemasons.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has responded to calls by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the Thoracic Society for an urgent health screening of stonemasons to check for the dust disease, silicosis.

Some experts have warned that silicosis could be Australia's worst occupational lung disease crisis since the peak of the asbestos disaster.

The Queensland Government recently confirmed 35 stonemasons have the potentially fatal disease, which is linked to the cutting of engineered stone kitchen benchtops.

There have also been a number of silicosis claims in Victoria and NSW.

Mr Hunt says he and the Chief Medical Officer are considering a national dust diseases register.

The RACP wants state and federal governments to commit to respiratory health assessments for industry workers, a review of dust control measures, and a ban on dry-cutting techniques.