There are dangers in working with any product. Even naturally occurring products like wood.

Cancer; dermatitis; skin, eye, and nose irriration; and asthma are the most commonly cited problems with either handling timber or coming into contact with wood dust of various commercially available species.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation, found that wood dust is a carcinogen (cancer causing) [1].

Wood and wood dust

The best way to minimise these health dangers associated with wood and wood dust is to use a properly designed and maintained dust extraction system. In addition, work areas must be well ventilated. As a last resort, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be considered. A respirator (an approved dust mask - in accordance with Australian Standards 1715 and 1716) should be used and eye protection (required by Australian Standard 1337) must be worn. (Sanding, woodturning and cutting can obviously create fine dust particles. Protective clothing - a long-sleeve shirt and gloves - help wood-workers minimise contact of the wood and dust particles with the skin [1].

Adhesives

Another hazard to be aware of is the adhesives used in the manufacture of wood panels - such as medium density fibre-board, plywood and laminated veneers. Formaldehyde-based adhesives emit small amounts of formaldehyde into the air - however, research has shown that these amounts are generally well below the (Australian) National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's exposure standard of one part per million (ppm) [1].

The eyes, nose, and throat can be irritated by the vapours at levels of one ppm; 5 or more ppm can severely irritate the lungs; formaldehyde solutions can destroy human skin's natural protective oils - frequent or prolonged skin contact with formaldehyde solutions can cause dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis (skin rash). Skin contact can also cause an allergic reaction (redness, itching, hives, and blisters) by as many as one in twenty workers [2].

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) notes that more research is required, but that formaldehyde is a probable carcinogen and a strong sensitiser (allergen - it can cause allergic reaction such as asthma) [1].

Wood & your health - online information

The Dangers of Wood Dust: The Victorian Woodworkers' Association http://home.vicnet.net.au/~woodlink/dust.htm

This website claims that hardwood and MDF (fibreboard) are more of a risk than softwoods. Lists common timber species used in Australia along with their possible health hazards.

Respiratory toxicity of pine wood: University of North Carolina http://www.trifl.org/cedar.html

The main irritant in Pine species is abietic acid - sometimes called sylvic acid. Abietic acid causes only weak allergic responses in most people, however, oxidation of abietic acid in air creates potent contact allergens.

Toxicity of Wood: Albert Forest Products Inc. http://www.city-net.com/albertfp/toxic.htm

This website proffers information about irritants, sensitisers, and moulds growing in wood that can present potential hazards.

Health Hazards & Wood: U-Beaut Enterprises http://www.ubeaut.com.au/badwood.htm

An alphabetical list of tree species, country of origin, and potential hazard. Not comprehensive, but over 100 species are included in this list.

Dealing with Risks in Cabinet-making: Queensland Workplace Health & Safety (DETIR) http://www.detir.qld.gov.au/brochures/bro040.pdf

A Queensland Department of Employment, Training and Industrial Relations (DETIR) brochure that outlines three major hazards faced by most cabinet-making businesses: dust, noise and two-pack surface finishing systems.
File type: Portable Document Format. Date: 23rd February 1999. Size: 51.4KB

Glossary

Carcinogen: any substance that causes cancer

Citations

[1] National Occupational Health & Safety Commission (of Australia) (2001). Occupational Health & Safety: Wood and Wood Products [WWW Document] URL http://www.nohsc.gov.au/SmallBusiness/BusinessEntryPoint/specific/wood/

[2] California (USA) Department of Health Services: Occupational Health Branch (1993, May). Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service: Fact Sheet - Formaldehyde [WWW Document] URL http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/formal.htm (visited August, 2001)

Copyright D. L. Christiansen [Last updated February 2002] Images: respective copyright owners noted/cited. All hyperlinks on this page were 'live' as at the time of last update.

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