A pilot study of personal exposure to respirable and inhalable dust during the sanding and sawing of medium density fibreboard (MDF) and soft wood.
A pilot study of production of respirable and inhalable dusts from sawing and sanding medium density fibreboard (MDF) and softwood in a typical cabinet-making workshop produced high but variable exposure levels at the bench and operator position. Exposure levels for the total inhalable fraction (approximately <100 microm) were 6.9-91 mg m(-3) for MDF and 2.5-45 mg m(-3) for softwood. For the respirable fraction (< 10 microm) levels were 0.4-13 mg m(-3) for MDF and 0.4-2.9 mg m(-3) for softwood. These results show significant dust loading is produced in the coarser fraction and that the material used has a significant impact on levels produced. It suggests that fuller evaluation of operator influence of fine dust production is needed and may question the common application of a single inhalable exposure standard for wood dust to all wood working scenarios.
Hursthouse
Andrew
A
Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering & Science, University of Paisley, Paisley PA1 2BE, Renfrewshire, UK. andrew.hurtshouse@paisley.ac.uk
Allan
Fraser
F
Rowley
Louise
L
Smith
Frank
F
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D003252:Construction Materials; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D014934:Wood
D004391:Dust; D012117:Resins, Synthetic