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Is MDF still toxic?

At extreme concentrations, formaldehyde is known to cause some serious health problems but there is no health risk from the amount of formaldehyde gas given off by MDF.

constructionnews.co.uk - Why MDF is safe to use - Construction News

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Sir,

FOLLOWING the recent media coverage in Construction News and elsewhere, which raised doubts as to the safety of medium density fibreboard (MDF), I would like to respond.

There are two key issues.

Firstly, serious allegations are being made in respect of the health effects attributed to the chemical formaldehyde.

There has been considerable mis-representation of scientific facts in relation to formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is an integral part of the adhesive used to bond together the wood fibres which form MDF panels. At extreme concentrations, formaldehyde is known to cause some serious health problems but there is no health risk from the amount of formaldehyde gas given off by MDF. What most of the media coverage has failed to report is that there is a scientifically proven relationship between a given concentration level and any given effect. Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical found in all living cells and has been used by man for more than 100 years. Today it is used in the production of hundreds of everyday products, including paints, varnishes, cosmetics, disinfectants, medicines and, of course, adhesive resins. In its guidelines on formaldehyde and indoor air releases from products in the home, the World Health Organisation cites 0.1 parts per million or below as a safe concentration for ambient air. Recent monitoring of indoor air levels by the Building Research Establishment found typical levels of formaldehyde exposure from all sources, including furniture, was only one-fifth of the WHO guideline figure. Manufacturers produce MDF under controlled conditions, which comply with the most stringent European requirements concerning formaldehyde content. The second concern expressed is that dust generated by MDF poses serious health risks and is in some way similar to asbestos. There is absolutely no relationship between the dust generated from a product such as MDF, which typically comprises 80 per cent virgin softwood fibre, and the definite hazards associated with asbestos fibre. There are known health risks associated with wood dust, the most serious being related to long-term (20-30 years') regular exposure. We are not aware of any instances of cancer related to exposure to dust from MDF, a material which has been present since the mid 1960s. The dust generated from MDF when it is cut falls under the control limit for wood dust, imposed by Health and Safety legislation (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Coshh)) and professional processors should establish that their air extraction systems are complying with the control limit. The Heath and Safety Executive recommends that DIY users should wear a suitable dust mask. These are standard precautions, which are applicable when working in any dusty environment. We wish to dispel one further rumour which has been in circulation for the past 10 years at least: that MDF is banned in the US. MDF has never been banned in the US, nor indeed any other country in the world. The State of California does require properties to be labelled in order to notify occupants that formaldehyde is present. There are a number of soft drinks that also carry these labels.

However, labelling is not required on MDF.

Observing the standard precautions when cutting MDF will adequately control any risk.

David Duke-Evans, Director General

Wood Panel Industries Federation

Grantham, Lincolnshire

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