title: Medium-density fibreboard and occupational asthma. A case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a wood composite material, composed primarily of softwood, bonded with a synthetic formaldehyde-based resin. It is increasingly used, as it has various advantages over natural woods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enquiry of the national reporting scheme data and three case reports were used to further the evidence base linking this exposure to occupational asthma (OA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1991 to 2007, 21 cases of occupational sensitization to MDF were reported to the UK voluntary reporting scheme, Surveillance of Work Related Occupational Respiratory Disease (SWORD): 18 reported as occupational asthma (OA) and 3 as occupational rhinitis. All workers were male, with a mean age of 48 years, working in education, furniture manufacturing or joinery among other employments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst reporting scheme data identified relatively small numbers of cases of OA likely to be due to MDF, the evidence base supporting this link is generally lacking. The three cases presented, where OA was attributed to MDF exposure, add to this evidence.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Workplace Health, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agius
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burge
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Huggins
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishwick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004391:Dust; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity; D012220:Rhinitis; D014934:Wood / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D007509:Irritants; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D005557:Formaldehyde