Thread: MDF Health and Safety

G'day Stu

I think you will find that the main concern is with the formaldehyde content of the MDF this can cause health problems. I haven't heard of it being banned but wouldn't be surprised.

If you use it constantly you should wear a respirator that is equiped with a charcoal filter an ordinary filter will not take out the fumes and may make them worse as the fumes are then concentrated directly into the mask and thus your lungs (if you're one of those breathing types).

By the way I think you will find that in Australia all wood dust is classed as carcinogenic (cancer causing), so a respirator is advisable anyway.

You will also probably find that the polyurethane that you coat the MDF with is almost as bad for your health.

This has really cheered your day, hasn't it!!

Neil Ellis

Neil, thankyou. I phoned CSR's enquiry service and have requested a Material Saftety Data Sheet on MDF, as well as a reply on wood dust health and safety concerns. I'm wanting to use MDF for skirting boards and architracves in a house I shall be building and want to be sure that if it is cut outside in a well ventilated area, that there'll be no problems. Apparently there are new regulations on formaldehyde of 1 part per million that the manufacturers are meant to be complying with.

For anyone interested, a manager from Starwood express gave me an excellent response which showed that the rumours of the product being banned in USA and elsewhere have indeed been circulating and are untrue.