Thread: MDF Hazard

Originally Posted by Normanj

When I was in Bunnies the other day I heard a sales assistant tell another customer that he should be careful when sawing MDF as the adhesives used in producing it can cause mesothelioma. Is this correct? I'm aware MDF can generate a lot of dust, but I thought mesothelioma was only caused by asbestos.

Not sure what it causes, but it's quite toxic stuff, and you should be using an "M" class vac with it (amd almost everyone uses "L" class)

All wood dusts are classified as carcinogens, and as MDF is made of wood dust it's no different.

Originally Posted by Normanj

When I was in Bunnies the other day I heard a sales assistant tell another customer that he should be careful when sawing MDF as the adhesives used in producing it can cause mesothelioma. Is this correct? I'm aware MDF can generate a lot of dust, but I thought mesothelioma was only caused by asbestos.

Mesothelioma is known to be caused by the inhalation of fibrous silicates like asbestos, or by irradiation. MDF does not contain either of these at sufficient levels to cause mesothelioma, but MDF does contain wood fibres and chemicals (formaldehyde) when heated, which can both cause cancer. In the short term it can lead to a loss of sense of smell (which happened to me for 6 weeks in 2002) even though I was working with it outside.

This is what as typical MSDS sheet for MDF says;

"Formaldehyde gas may be released under some conditions, particularly when product is heated. However, in well ventilated storage areas and workplaces, the concentration of formaldehyde is unlikely to exceed the World Health Organisation standard of 0.1 ppm for the general environment and it will be well below the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) Occupational Exposure Standard of 1.0ppm.

Exposures to wood dust produced from machining the products and gas and vapours from heat processing with inadequate ventilation may result in the following health effects:
- Abdominal discomfort if dust is swallowed
- Eye irritation causing discomfort and redness.
- Skin irritation resulting in itching and occasional red rash.
- Nose, throat and lung irritation, especially in people with upper respiratory
tract or chest complaints such as asthma.

Repeated exposure over many years to uncontrolled wood dust increases the risk of nasal cavity cancer. Inhalation of wood dust may also increase the risk of lung fibrosis (scarring). There are also increased risks of respiratory and skin sensitisation from wood dust and formaldehyde resulting in asthma and dermatitis respectively. Wood dust has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as group 1, carcinogenic to humans. Formaldehyde has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as group 1, carcinogenic to humans and by the European Union (EU) as a Category 3 carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic).

The BIG difference between MDF and regular wood is that MDF produces around 5 time more finer dust especially when sanded. Much of this dust is invisible so woodworkers often have no idea about their real exposure.

I recommend using at least a P2 level face mask when working with MDF even, when using a dust extractor.