MDF Dangers - 7 steps to minimise the risks

Birdseye — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:20:00 GMT

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.

For our full story on the health risks of MDF, click here for your free issue of What Doctors Don’t Tell You.

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

Never work on MDF inside the house, but use a carport or open garage instead
Hose the dust down afterwards
If you have a workshop, use an extractor fan very close to where you’re working
Wear a good-quality, well-fitting dust mask; unlike sawdust, MDF dust is extremely fine
Keep others away while you are working
Paint all naked MDF panels to prevent formaldehyde outgassing
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

For more information on MDF and your health, click here to claim a free issue of What Doctors Don’t Tell You.

Birdseye: Health Tips from the Blogosphere : MDF health risks

MDF Dangers - 7 steps to minimise the risks