Thread: Raw MDF

it will release gases, when stored in bulk in warehouses and fresh made.

Hi,
You need to have a look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer of the MDF. The main issues with the product are considered to be the fine dust when cut or machined and formaldehyde emissions. The local industry has been working to reduce formaldehyde emissions over many years. If the product is local, it will be low formaldehyde emitting (LFE) and unlikely to cause any issues for people. In relation to wood dust, local manufacturers have been putting warnings on packaging for years in relation to inhaled wood dust. This was driven by the discovery of nasal cancer in English woodworkers who worked with local hardwoods in the UK. As I understand it their work spaces did not have any reasonable form of dust extraction, which probably didn't help. Using a dust mask is supposed to deal with the dust, as would really good dust extraction.

Some of the local manufacturers are BORG Manufacturing, Laminex and Nelson Pine Industries. If you search the business name followed by MSDS you should be able to find the right document. The MSDS talks about toxicology in relation to the product. You may have to hunt for a heading that mentions toxicology.

Some of the building unions have made an issue out of the product due to the dust, to the point of having separate cutting areas for it. I haven't heard that this has developed any further or that there have been conclusion that the product is any more dangerous than most other man made, wood based board products (including plywood).

If you are still concerned you could paint the chest of drawers. Most modern homes have some form of man made wood board in them. This includes furniture, kitchens, wardrobes and bathroom vanities. Mostly these items have some form of coating or cover on them.

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum
Acer

Originally Posted by Acer

Hi,
You need to have a look at the material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the manufacturer of the MDF. The main issues with the product are considered to be the fine dust when cut or machined and formaldehyde emissions. The local industry has been working to reduce formaldehyde emissions over many years. If the product is local, it will be low formaldehyde emitting (LFE) and unlikely to cause any issues for people. In relation to wood dust, local manufacturers have been putting warnings on packaging for years in relation to inhaled wood dust. This was driven by the discovery of nasal cancer in English woodworkers who worked with local hardwoods in the UK. As I understand it their work spaces did not have any reasonable form of dust extraction, which probably didn't help. Using a dust mask is supposed to deal with the dust, as would really good dust extraction.

Some of the local manufacturers are BORG Manufacturing, Laminex and Nelson Pine Industries. If you search the business name followed by MSDS you should be able to find the right document. The MSDS talks about toxicology in relation to the product. You may have to hunt for a heading that mentions toxicology.

Some of the building unions have made an issue out of the product due to the dust, to the point of having separate cutting areas for it. I haven't heard that this has developed any further or that there have been conclusion that the product is any more dangerous than most other man made, wood based board products (including plywood).

If you are still concerned you could paint the chest of drawers. Most modern homes have some form of man made wood board in them. This includes furniture, kitchens, wardrobes and bathroom vanities. Mostly these items have some form of coating or cover on them.

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum
Acer

Thanks for your detailed response. All I know if the MDF came from Bunnings and the guy cutting it didn't think a mask was necessary (although I wore one when cutting). I've just spoken to Bunnings and apparently it's from Indonesia which probably doesn't bode well as I'm sure they used the cheapest glue.

Edit: The Bunnings website quotes Alpine MDF which is made in Victoria, assuming it was the same supplier 3 years ago of course. The MSDS here: http://www.alpinemdf.com.au/images/s..._msds_2009.pdf makes no mention of sealing the product, only dust. Sorry if I'm being completely neurotic - I realise it's not rational as there's nothing I can do now anyway.

Hi,
It's hard to say what the Indonesian plant was using. The resins are fairly universal though free formaldehyde does vary. LFE resins are more expensive that ones with higher free formaldehyde. Bunnings should be able to provide the MSDS for the product. I suggest that you ask firmly for them to provide it to you. Bunnings do have an obligation to provide the MSDS if they sourced the material or to obtain one from their supplier. The plant that made the product may still be quite modern, with modern processes. However there are old plants there too.
Acer

Alpine are a local manufacturer, based in Victoria. I believe they are owned by Nelson Pine Industries out of NZ which is in turn controlled by a Japanese company. They are a reputable manufacturer and make an LFE (0.01% free formaldehyde) product.

Alpine toxicity info on formaldehyde is mentioned on page 6 and 7 of the MSDS. I'll paste the exact comment below.

"Whilst this wood panel product contains less than 0.01% free formaldehyde, people using the product may be exposed to low concentrations of formaldehyde if the boards are heated (as in laminating), are cut by laser cutting machines, and/or if dust particles come in contact with the moist mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory tract."

The below is out of the toxicology part of the BORG Mfg MSDS for MDF panels (Made in Oberon NSW)

"Low to moderate toxicity. Use safe work practices to avoid eye or skin contact and inhalation. This product is bonded by formaldehyde resin and formaldehyde may be released during machining. Product may also release small quantities (<0.01%) of formaldehyde in gaseous form that may dissipate over time.

Adverse health effects associated with over exposure formaldehyde are not anticipated due to the product form and its low concentration. Formaldehyde is a respiratory and skin sensitiser, and is classified as a confirmed human carcinogen (IARC Group 1). Wood dust is also classified as a confirmed human carcinogen (IARC Group1)."


Both of the above products are used in a heap of furniture and kitchens around Australia.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by richmurphy77

Thanks for your detailed response. All I know if the MDF came from Bunnings and the guy cutting it didn't think a mask was necessary (although I wore one when cutting). I've just spoken to Bunnings and apparently it's from Indonesia which probably doesn't bode well as I'm sure they used the cheapest glue.

Unless whatever he was cutting it with was hooked up to a decent extractor, that guy needs a good smack about the head.

If you are worried about it releasing formaldehyde, you should also worry about your car, carpet, soft furniture and house plants, as they all release formaldehyde, too. And don't eat pineapple, as pineapple contains methane, which is converted into formaldehyde in your body.

Some people's breath even contains enough formaldehyde to be over the exposure limit.

Formaldehyde is not one of the chemicals that your body says "Oh, I wonder what this is, and how do I metabolise it away???" Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the bloodstream and it does not bio-accumulate; it is converted into formic acid which is flushed out in the urine.

While it's not the sort of stuff you want to bathe in, you also shouldn't worry too much about a three year old bit of furniture outgassing any - it'll have done that years ago!

I totally agree with Master Splinter. In the 70's and early 80's new carpet and cigarette smoke in houses made it hard to do formaldehyde monitoring. In current houses the modern products would be hard to detect. The outgassing of particleboard in the early 80's could stop Jello powder from setting if it was stacked on a bare particleboard shelf for a couple of months. The levels now are hugely lower than then, in all products. I still use MDF and do not worry about the formaldehyde at all. The dust I treat like any other wood dust. You need a mask and or really good extraction as well documented by Bill Pentz.

Originally Posted by Acer

I totally agree with Master Splinter. In the 70's and early 80's new carpet and cigarette smoke in houses made it hard to do formaldehyde monitoring. In current houses the modern products would be hard to detect. The outgassing of particleboard in the early 80's could stop Jello powder from setting if it was stacked on a bare particleboard shelf for a couple of months. The levels now are hugely lower than then, in all products. I still use MDF and do not worry about the formaldehyde at all. The dust I treat like any other wood dust. You need a mask and or really good extraction as well documented by Bill Pentz.

Thank you all so much for the information. It sounds like I had a panic over nothing but I will paint it anyway just because it can't hurt. I'm always ultra cautious cutting any timber as no building material is actually good for your health. This caught me off guard as I thought the only danger was in cutting.

Even something as simple as a day at the beach increases your chances of silicosis, too!!!!