MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is known for its health risks – in 195 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified wood dust as a human carcinogen, and the substantial dust produced by MDF has been connected to other health problems such as asthma.

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Here are seven guidelines that you should follow when working with MDF, to minimise the risk to yourself and your household.

1. Never work on MDF inside the house, but use a carport or open garage instead
2. Hose the dust down afterwards
3. If you have a workshop, use an extractor fan very close to where you’re working
4. Wear a good-quality, well-fitting dust mask; unlike sawdust, MDF dust is extremely fine
5. Keep others away while you are working
6. Paint all naked MDF panels to prevent formaldehyde outgassing
7. After installation inside your home, ventilate for up to three days.  If your house appears to be particularly full of outgassing materials, do a ‘bake-out’: heat it up to a high temperature, usually 38 degrees C (100 degrees F), to speed up the release of toxic chemicals, while keeping the windows open and ventilation system running at full capacity.  Repeat this process for two or three days

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