Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jun 25, 2002 11:47pm | #1

   As far as I know, it's no worse than any other kind of dust, it's just that it's so fine and there's so much of it. Wear a good mask and you should be OK.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 25, 2002 11:59pm | #2

   Here is an MDS on MDF; http://www.digitalaccents.com/mds-fb.htm

   Wood Dust -Wood dust may cause nasal dryness, irritation, and obstruction. Coughing, wheezing, and sneezing; sinusitis and prolonged colds have also been reported. Depending on species, may cause respiratory sensitization and/or irritation. Prolonged exposure to wood dust has been reported by some observers to be associated with nasal cancer. IARC classifies wood dust as a carcinogen to humans (Groups 1). This classification is based on IARC s evaluation of increased risk in the occurrence of adeno-carcinomas of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses associated with exposure to some wood dusts. IARC did not find sufficient evidence to associate cancers of oropharynx, hypopharynx, lung, lymphatic and hematopoietic systems, stomach, colon or rectum with exposure to wood dust.

   I believe that this is genric to all wood dust. But MDF is so fine I think that it is probably the worse.

1. 
   MarkCadioli | Jun 26, 2002 12:37am | #3

   Got a mate who is a cabinetmaker. He has just returned from Germany. Tells me that because of the health dangers,all MDF is either banned or in the process of it in Germany.http://www.quittintime.com

1. 
   JerraldHayes | Jun 26, 2002 01:12am | #4

   Mark given that something like 60% of the MDF used in Europe comes from Germany I think any such ban would be catastrophic to the cabinet making and woodworking industries there and I (we) would have read something about it in the trades.

   I think your buddy picked up an urban legend. None of the Germans, Poles, or Chezks that I work with have said anything of the kind and two of them just came back to the US from Europe. I think I remember reading that because of the banning of the importing of certain logs from some tropical suppliers that the cost of the European product will be going up. Maybe he caught on to something regarding that news.

   I would also think that given the incredibly tight restrictions concerning health and the environment that are all over the US that if MDF was dangerous it would certainly be banned here first and there would be a Ralph Nader crusade all around it given it’s widespread use and availability.

   I could be wrong but I would have to wonder why I haven't heard anything about such an impending ban. I know it’s nasty and the reigning king of dust but a quick Google search I just did revealed nothing about a ban either.

   "Do not go where the path may lead, go

   instead where there is no path and

   leave a trail."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 26, 2002 01:23am | #5

   Jerrald

   Most of my hits came from the UK, until I added "OSHA".

   Go a google on "MDF DUST HEALTH"

   Most of what I saw was milder than what I posted.

1. 
   JerraldHayes | Jun 26, 2002 01:58am | #6

   Thanks Bill I just added Germany to the search string that you gave me (MDF

   Dust Health) and one of the documents that I read GPMU

   - Health and Safety Archive - Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) even stated

   about a thid of the way down

   "HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES BANNED THE USE OF MDF?

   "Rumours that MDF is banned in America and/or Australia are unfounded.

   However the US limits formaldehyde emissions from MDF to 0.3ppm (parts permillion),

   and home owners in California were warned that their new home had been built

   using MDF: which "contains a chemical known to cause cancer,birth defects

   or other reproductive hazards". Australia has a tighterexposure standard

   than Britain and warns its workers that formaldehyde is'a probable carcinogen'

   and a sensitiser (i.e. it can cause allergicreaction such as asthma). "

   As a whole that article and the others that I have just skimmed over while

   expressing some concern for the dust danger and formaldehyde seem to okay and

   promote the use of MDF ( as a "green" building product)

   Further reading of that same article I find it says

   "Some board manufacturers are advertising low formaldehyde or zero formaldehyde

   emission boards made to the stringent German 'E1' standard. This standard

   is currently being reviewed by the European Union."

   That would seem to indicate to me that Germany is tightening restrictions on

   formaldehyde use in MDF but not banning it (MDF) altogether. (Formaldehyde having

   been declared a carcinogen)

   I also recall reading somewhere recently that mills (or producers of MDF) are

   switching tot he production of "AllGreen® MDF". maybe that's what

   it's about too. I look around some more regarding that, maybe tomorrow.

   I think the stuff is real nasty and formaldehyde/carcinogen properties aside

   you should still protect yourself and your employees from any inhalation

   of the dust.

   "Do not go where the path may lead, go

   instead where there is no path and

   leave a trail."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson