Why is mdf bad for you?

I was one of the first users of MDF in the UK before it became generally available and recognized for its versatility, stability and, finish. And I know what an unpleasant dust it is to work with. Not only is it an irritant to throat and nose, but the dust is incredibly powder-like and invasive.

However once the work has been finished, either with paint it seems that MDF dust ceases to pose a risk.

Wood based boards are used almost everywhere, there are three main types;

Differing wood grain is used for each layer and is then glued together giving the wood increased rigidity. Types of laminated wood include plywood and blockboard.

For example wood chipboard or flex board. Here raw material is processed to produce particles of varying size and is then bonded with a resin binder.

Types of fibreboard are differentiated by the size and type of wood fibres used, the method of drying, what type of bonding agent is used and the method by which it is pressed into shape.

Medium Density Fibreboard is manufactured by a dry process at a lower temperature than for example hardboard, another type of fibreboard.

The effect of this is that the natural glues and resins contained within the wood are rendered ineffective. MDF therefore uses manufactured bonding agents and resins.

Varying density boards with differing finishes are used for various end uses.

In all fibreboards, formaldehyde resins are used to bond together the constituent parts. This is usually urea formaldehyde, but some fibreboard including exterior or marine quality board will use stronger glues such as phenol formaldehyde.

Even at a low level, exposure to formaldehyde through inhalation can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and mucous membrane.

Formaldehyde can also affect the skin, leading to dermatitis, and the respiratory system causing asthma and rhinitis.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation, quoted evidence that even short term exposure to formaldehyde, at far below the legal limitallowable in Britain, could cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

The IARC’s findings also stated that wood dust is a carcinogen’ (cancer causing) and that ‘formaldehyde is probably carcinogenic to humans’. IARC was also concerned about the reproductive hazards of formaldehyde’.

Formaldehyde is classified in the UK and throughout Europe as a Category 3 Carcinogen. This means it is a substance which “causes concern for humans owing to possible carcinogenic effects but, in respect of which, available information is not adequate for making a satisfactory assessment.”

Thisputs formaldehyde on the GPMU list of potential carcinogens, meaning it should be replaced where possible, and if not, subject to rigorous controls that reduce exposure to the lowest possible level.

Rumours that MDF is banned in America and/or Australia are unfounded.

However the US limits formaldehyde emissions from MDF to 0.3ppm (parts per million), and homeowners in California were warned that their new home had been built using MDF: which “contains a chemical known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive hazards”.

Australia has a tighter exposure standard than Britain and warns its workers that formaldehyde is ‘a probable carcinogen’ and a sensitiser (i.e. it can cause allergic reaction such as asthma).

In Germany the exposure limit is 0.lppm, and Norway and Hungary both have lower exposure limits than Britain and list formaldehyde as an allergen and probable carcinogen.

In the UK, the Health and Safety Commission’s Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances is now being asked to review the hazards of working with MDF.

Formaldehyde is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive as a hazardous substance and as such has been given a Maximum Exposure Limit (MEL).

The MEL for formaldehyde is 2ppm and at no time should this limit be exceeded. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1994 states that an employer must try to get as far below a MEL asis reasonably practicable.

The employer has a general duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (Regulation 3), an employer is legally obliged to carry out a risk assessment.

This risk assessment should lead the employer to introduce measures to eliminate or adequately reduce risks.

COSHH Regulation 6 further states that, no employer may carry on any work liable to expose employees to substances hazardous to health, unless a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks created by that work, and of the steps needed to comply with COSHH in respect of it, has been made.

If formaldehyde in MDF is being used, and cut or worked, at your workplace your employer should first try to use a safer material.

If there is no alternative to using fibreboard then your employer should consider low emission board.

Some board manufacturers are advertising low formaldehyde or zero formaldehyde emission boards made to the stringent German ‘E1’ standard. This standard is currently being reviewed by the European Union.

Where dust cannot be eliminated, the employer has to introduce control measures which will adequately reduce dust levels. This will require adequate ventilation.

The most effective control measure is Local Exhaust Ventilation. The exhaust mechanism is normally attached to the workstation where board is being cut. As wood fibres are released from the board the exhaust should remove them from workplace air.

This ensures that most of the dust is removed from the atmosphere as board is worked. Your employer should also keep the workplace clean and ensure that the workplace is free of any dust.

Gloves should be provided to avoid formaldehyde coming into contact with the skin, and suitable masks should be provided to avoid inhalation or ingestion of fibres.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the publication of a Hazard Assessment Document for medium density fibreboard (MDF).

The publication of this document follows on from an announcement in October 1997 that HSE would be reviewing the health effects of exposures arising from machining MDF.

As part of the review HSE carried out a hazard assessment and commissioned an exposure survey and research into the characteristics of MDF dust/exposures.

MDF is a wood composite material, primarily softwood, bonded with a synthetic resin, which is usually formaldehyde-based. It is used industrially in furniture and cabinet making.

The atmosphere typically created by machining MDF contains a mixture of softwood dust (and hardwood dust if hardwood is present in the MDF), free formaldehyde, dust particles onto which formaldehyde is adsorbed and, potentially, the resin binder itself and its derivatives.

The Hazard Assessment Document for MDF reports on the scientific evidence for the possible health effects of exposures arising from machining MDF and includes information from the HSE commissioned research on the atmosphere created during the machining of MDF.

This is the first of a series of Hazard Assessment Documents that will be published by HSE.

The health effects of constituents of MDF are: · Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. In experimental studies in rats, formaldehyde causes nasal cancer.

However, there is no evidence that it has caused cancer, either nasal or other, in humans.

Some softwood and hardwood dusts can cause asthma. There is some evidence for more frequent reporting of respiratory symptoms such as nasal obstruction in workers receiving exposures arising from machining MDF compared to other forms of wood or wood products. WATCH expressed the view that the most appropriate risk management strategy for MDF is the one currently recommended by HSE.

This specifies that: · The level of dust arising from the machining of MDF should be kept to as low as reasonably practicable below the Maximum Exposure Limits (MELs) for softwood dust and hardwood dust.

Levels of free formaldehyde should be kept as low as reasonably practicable below the MELs for formaldehyde.

Softwood and hardwood dusts each have an 8-hour time weighted average MEL of 5mg m-3 (total inhalable dust), whilst formaldehyde has MELs of 2 ppm, as an 8-hour time weighted average and as a 15-minute short term exposure limit.

HSE is also preparing free guidance for publication next year aimed at those who use MDF at work. It will summarise the conclusions of the Hazard Assessment Document and the recently commissioned research and will provide a guide to working safely with MDF.

Further Information Copies of the new publication, ‘Medium Density Fibreboard – Hazard Assessment Document, EH75/1, ISBN 0 7176 1735 1, are available from:

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood-based sheet material made by bonding together wood fibres with a synthetic resin adhesive.  MDF is extremely versatile and can be machined and finished to a high standard.  As a result, MDF has replaced solid timber as a low-cost alternative in a wide range of applications across industry.

The majority of MDF is mainly composed of softwood, although some brands may contain a higher percentage of temperate hardwood if this is locally available to the manufacturer.  High levels of hardwood can be found in MDF board from outside the UK and Ireland.

The most common binder for boards intended for dry environments is urea-formaldehyde.  Other binders may be used depending on the grade of board and its intended end-use.  For example, melamine urea-formaldehyde, phenolic resins and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are generally used in boards that require an improved moisture resistance.  PMDI binder is not formaldehyde-based and consequently does not emit any formaldehyde.  The exact constituents of an MDF board will vary from product to product.

The atmosphere created by machining or sanding MDF board contains a mixture of softwood dust and hardwood dust (if it is present).  In addition, there will also be free formaldehyde, dust particles onto which formaldehyde is adsorbed and potentially, the resin binder itself and its derivatives.  However, the levels of free formaldehyde in boards made within the EU at levels of formaldehyde class E1 are thought to be insignificant.  This is because at these levels the resin is fully reacted (polymerised) – see Q.4 & Q.5 for information on standards and classes.

Under current legislation softwood dust, hardwood dust and formaldehyde are considered to be hazardous to health.  Both softwood and hardwood dusts are known to be respiratory sensitisers and may cause asthma and other respiratory problems.  Hardwood dust can also cause a rare form of nasal cancer.

Formaldehyde is classified in the UK, and in the European Union as a carcinogen and it carries the hazard statement 'suspected of causing cancer'.

Because of the additional presence of formaldehyde in MDF the simple precautions detailed in Q.7 and Q.8 should be followed.

Formaldehyde is a simple but essential organic chemical that occurs naturally in most forms of life, including people, some foods we eat and trees. All products made from wood will therefore emit some naturally occurring formaldehyde. It is widely used in the manufacture of numerous products including shampoos, plastics, carpets, clothing, resins and glues etc.

A range of materials found in the home or workplace may therefore release formaldehyde.  The US Consumer Products Safety Commission provides the following information on formaldehyde on their website.

Formaldehyde is normally present at low levels, usually less than 0.03 ppm,(parts per million) in both outdoor and indoor air.  The outdoor air in rural areas has lower concentrations while urban areas have higher concentrations.  Residences or offices that contain products that release formaldehyde to the air can have formaldehyde levels of greater than 0.03 ppm.  Products that may add formaldehyde to the air include particleboard used as flooring underlayment, shelving, furniture and cabinets; MDF in cabinets and furniture; hardwood plywood wall panels, and urea-formaldehyde foam used as insulation.

Similar levels are quoted in the World Health Organisation (WHO) report WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: selected pollutants, published in December 2010.  This states for buildings, some of which contain wood based panels, 'levels on the average are less than 0.05 mg/m3 (0.04ppm) in homes and about half that in public buildings'.  It is important to note that these levels are from all sources, not just building products.

MDF boards manufactured in Europe for construction purposes must meet the appropriate European standards. These are BS EN 622-1:2003 Fibreboards-Specifications - Part 1: General requirements and BS EN 622-5:2009 Fibreboards - Specifications - Part 5: Requirements for dry process boards (MDF). There are two European formaldehyde classes, E1 and E2, depending on levels of formaldehyde emission measured. The release of formaldehyde from E1 boards is less than 0.1 ppm (parts per million) and for E2 boards it is between 0.1 ppm and 0.3 ppm.

In Europe, the majority of manufacturers produce only low emission boards.  There are some boards available on the market with extremely low formaldehyde emissions and some with 'no added formaldehyde', for example those using formaldehyde free binders such as PMDI, ie these boards will only have the naturally occurring emissions from the wood itself.  Manufacturers from outside Europe may however produce boards that have higher emissions.

Wood based panels, such as MDF, that are used in construction should be CE marked according to – Characteristics, evaluation of conformity and marking. In complying with this standard, formaldehyde levels will have to be tested on a regular basis and a class will have to be declared (E1 or E2).

Other than compliance with the Construction Products Directive via CE marking (soon to be superseded by the Construction Products Regulation), there are no regulatory compliance schemes in the UK for emissions of formaldehyde.

There are a limited number of third party labelling schemes that do operate in the UK which specify amongst other things, maximum formaldehyde limits as part of their requirements.  Such schemes include BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) for the assessment of buildings and for furniture products and the Furniture Industry Research Association 'FIRA Gold' scheme.

Around the world there are certification and labelling schemes for products that can be specific to formaldehyde release, such as the Californian Air Resources Board (CARB) scheme or other schemes where a range of emissions may be considered, such as the AgBB scheme in Germany.

HSE is not aware of any countries in the world where MDF is banned.

Employers have duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) to control risks to employees' health arising from work activities. This means they need to ensure exposures to wood dust and formaldehyde are kept as far below the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) as reasonably practicable.

WELs are the concentrations of hazardous material in the air averaged over a specified time period – called the Time Weighted Average (TWA).

Two periods are used, long-term (8 hours) and short-term (15 mins) – the long-term representing a working day and the short-term to help prevent effects such as eye irritation which may occur after only a few minutes exposure.

The WELs for hardwood dust, softwood dust and formaldehyde are expressed in the number of milligrams (mg) of material in one cubic metre of air (m3). Levels of formaldehyde are also expressed in parts per million (ppm). The current WELs are:

To control exposures, employers should follow the 'hierarchy of control' set out in the COSHH Regulations.  This means:

RPE should not be used as the only means of control as it should complement other control measures such as a dust extraction system. General information on RPE is available at respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide.

When you need to use RPE to provide protection against inhalation of wood dust, you should ensure that the RPE is adequate and suitable (for more information see selecting suitable respiratory protective equipment).

In summary:

MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is a type of composite wood product. It is produced from both hardwoods and softwoods broken down into fibers and combined with wax and a resin (glue). It is formed into panels using heat and pressure. Other composite wood products include particleboard and hardwood plywood.

What is the concern about MDF?

The biggest concern is exposure to formaldehyde gas that is emitted from the product. The glue used in MDF is usually urea formaldehyde (UF). UF is a solid chemical made from a mixture of urea and formaldehyde. Extra formaldehyde may be added to the urea to make a stronger bond. The more extra formaldehyde there is, the more formaldehyde will be trapped in the wood and later emitted as a gas. MDF made with UF may emit formaldehyde gas for months or years after it is manufactured. Over the last few years it has become more common for manufacturers of MDF to:

Formaldehyde: what are the health effects?

Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can result in cancer, including nasal and sinus cancer and leukemia. These cancers take several years or decades to develop (usually 10-15 years). Working eight hours daily for 40 years at the level of the government standard would give you a risk of about 2 in a thousand for getting cancer*.

When formaldehyde is present in the air, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation.

Repeated exposure to formaldehyde may cause bronchitis or skin and asthma-like allergy. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, whereas others have no reaction to the same level of exposure. There is limited evidence that formaldehyde may damage the developing fetus and affect female fertility.

Wood dust: what are the health effects?

Wood dust, especially from hardwood, causes nasal and sinus cancer in woodworkers. Some of the species known to cause cancer include the hardwoods oak, mahogany, beech, walnut, birch, elm and ash. As with formaldehyde, these cancers take years to develop and generally require significant, ongoing exposure for a long period of time.

Wood dust particles tend to settle mostly in the upper airways where they are trapped and can cause eye irritation, nasal dryness or irritation, prolonged colds, nose bleeding and obstruction, sneezing, sinusitis and headaches. Some particles may penetrate deep into the respiratory track causing asthma, chronic bronchitis and hypersensitivity pneumonia.

Skin rash and irritation is the most common health hazard associated with wood dust. It can be caused by abrasion, chemical irritation or by an allergic mechanism known as sensitization. Workers who become sensitized can get more and more sensitive to small amounts of dust over time.

Urea formaldehyde and other resins: what are the health effects?

Urea formaldehyde is a solid substance that has the potential to cause asthma and skin allergies. The dust from other glues may also have irritating or sensitizing properties. However, there is little documentation on whether sanding or cutting material made from these resins has actually resulted in health effects from the resins, alone.

What kind of formaldehyde exposures are carpenters expected to get?

Exposures to formaldehyde gas from MDF will vary greatly depending on the amount and effectiveness of ventilation, personal protection (such as respirator use), process (sanding emits more dust than sawing), type of tools (power tools generate more dust than manual tools), type of adhesive (UF is much worse than melamine or phenol-formaldehyde), environmental conditions (high humidity and moisture causes UF to break down into formaldehyde gas), the amount of free formaldehyde in the product, and the amount and hours of the work performed.

Most studies on workers’ exposure to formaldehyde from wood paneling have been done in manufacturing plants. We did not find studies of formaldehyde exposures of carpenters working with MDF in the field. Here are some numbers to put exposures in perspective. The effect of ventilation can be seen in a recent study of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers which found average formaldehyde levels were ten times higher when there was no ventilation: 1.04 (closed up), 0.39 (air conditioned) and 0.09 ppm (windows open).

What regulations are there on formaldehyde emissions from MDF?

Despite rumors that MDF is banned in some countries, we did not find this to be so. Japan and the European Union have had MDF emission standards for years.

In 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued regulations to cap formaldehyde emissions from composite panels used in finished consumer products. Like most emission standards, they are based on environmental concerns. Most U.S. manufacturers are following the CARB rules. Currently (Phase 1) they limit emissions from MDF to 0.21 ppm inside a special test chamber. By January 1, 2011 (Phase 2), the limit will drop to approximately half that amount (0.11 ppm) in all MDF except thin MDF (such as is used in the backing for laminate flooring). Phase 2 for thin MDF begins in January 2012. CARB also has limits for particleboard and hardwood plywood.

CARB also approves paneling with no added formaldehyde (NAF) and ultra-low emitting formaldehyde (ULEF).

CARB approved paneling and molding must have a product label or stamp. Retail stores should also be able to provide you with a unit label that contains this information. Most US and Canadian manufacturers and some offshore manufacturers are certifying their products sold nationally to comply with CARB. Lumber mills with this certification and fact sheets on their regulation can be viewed on CARB’s website: http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm.

The USEPA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on regulating formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TOSCA), in December 2008. U.S. Senate bill, S 1660, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, would require the USEPA to adopt the CARB regulations nationally, under TOSCA. The USEPA is expected to revise their cancer and non-cancer risk estimates for formaldehyde by 2012.

What are the best practices for reducing my exposure to dust and formaldehyde from MDF?

What are my rights with regard to MDF?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): The OSHA Formaldehyde Standard requires your employer to conduct air monitoring or have other documentation that shows exposure limits will not be exceeded. Workers’ average daily and peak exposure must be below 0.75 parts per million (ppm) and the peak exposure must be below 2 ppm. If greater than 0.1 ppm in the air is expected, then the employer must enforce labeling, education and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communications standard.

OSHA does not have a wood dust or urea formaldehyde standard. OSHA may rely on The American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) guidelines for wood dust when evaluating a wood dust hazard. ACGIH recommends average exposure to inhalable wood dust be kept below 1 milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3); and half that amount for western red cedar.

You and your union have the right to copies of monitoring results. You have the right to request an MSDS from your employer. You or your union can file an OSHA complaint if you suspect a violation (http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html). A small business employer can request a free consultation from OSHA to evaluate a hazard without the risk of enforcement proceedings (http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html).

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): You, your employer, or your union have the right to request an evaluation of your workplace if people are exposed to a combination of exposures that are not all regulated by OSHA (see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/HHEprogram.html).

Where Can I Get Treatment or More Information?

If you think you may be suffering from overexposure to chemicals, construction dust or any work-related illness or injury, contact an occupational health clinic in your area to request an evaluation (see http://www.aoec.org/directory.htm). They can also help you obtain more information on workplace health and safety. The Mount Sinai-IJ Selikoff Center has three clinics in the New York metropolitan area and adjacent counties (see below).

OSHA has information on controlling wood dust http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wooddust/index.html and formaldehyde http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/index.html.

We wish to acknowledge the assistance of the Fraternal Order of Woodworkers and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in preparing this fact sheet. April 2010

MOUNT SINAI – IRVING J. SELIKOFF CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

Under current legislation softwood dust, hardwood dust and formaldehyde are considered to be hazardous to health. Both softwood and hardwood dusts are known to be respiratory sensitisers and may cause asthma and other respiratory problems. Hardwood dust can also cause a rare form of nasal cancer.

But MDF - as it is universally known - is acquiring a new, more sinister image. Trade unions whose members have become ill after working with MDF have dubbed it the 'asbestos of the Nineties' and are calling on the Government to act on its safety.

MDF has three advantages over other wood products: it can be manufactured at almost any thickness its surface is ideal for painting, veneering or laminating and it can be cut smoothly without splintering. This means complex shapes and patterns can be made cleanly and precisely, making it ideal for architectural moulding effects.

Anyone watching the popular BBC2 home design programme Changing Rooms knows MDF as the favoured material of Handy Andy, the chirpy handyman who uses it to knock out practically anything asked of him. It is the way MDF is made that gives it these qualities - and makes it potentially dangerous.

Invented in the United States, it is a compound of wood dust and scrap bonded together by a resin containing formaldehyde - a recognised carcinogen. When MDF is cut, sanded, shaped or machined in any way, it releases clouds of dust particles coated with formaldehyde. The particles, much smaller than those emitted by most other commonly used woods, can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

Since 1988, the Californian Building Industry Association has put up stickers in new homes containing MDF, warning: 'This house contains a chemical known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive hazards.' This complied with the state's anti-toxin laws but also ensured members did not face costly lawsuits from sick residents.

In 1994, rumours circulated in the British timber industry that MDF was about to be banned in the United States and Australia because of formaldehyde emissions. The US reduced its safety exposure limit to 0.3 parts per million - seven times lower than the British limit.

Last month the Health and Safety Executive agreed to launch a two-year study into its impact. Dr Andrew Watterson, director of the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health at De Montfort University, Leicester, and an expert in chemical hazards, said: 'I believe we have significantly underestimated the potential risk of MDF in Britain. There is evidence that formaldehyde-exposed workers have high rates of lung cancer and (nose and throat) cancer.'

Recent studies from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, concluded that wood dust is carcinogenic to humans and that formaldehyde is 'probably carcinogenic to humans'.

The agency also quoted evidence that short-term exposure to formaldehyde could cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. For builders and furniture makers who use MDF daily, the current exposure limit in the UK set by the Health and Safety Executive is two parts per million - more than 20 times that of other European countries such as Germany and Sweden.

The GMB general union is campaigning for UK exposure levels to be cut drastically and for safer substances to be used where possible. The entertainment industry union, Bectu, whose members build sets for stage, film and television, wants the Health and Safety Executive to control the manufacture of MDF and crack down on employers who fail to protect workers.

At this month's TUC conference Roy Lockett, deputy general secretary of Bectu, said: 'MDF is the asbestos of the Nineties. It is carcinogenic. It causes lesions. It damages the eyes, the skin, the lungs and the heart. It is vile and pernicious.'

Mike Flannery, 44, teaches design at Budehaven School, Cornwall. He and his colleagues 'used MDF like it was going out of fashion'.

He said: 'But then we all started getting sore throats, itching eyes, coughs and wheezing and finding it difficult to breathe. It was only when the holidays came and we felt better that we realised our symptoms were caused by MDF. I believe it is an incredibly dangerous product and would seriously caution anybody against using it.'

The immediate symptoms disappear quickly, but the long-term effects are not known. An office worker in East Anglia, who did not wish to be identified, was forced to go home sick when her office was refitted using MDF.

'The carpenters were sawing the wood in the office . . . I didn't think anything about it, but then I started feeling dizzy and spaced out and had to go home,' she said.

There is also growing concern that health problems can arise simply from having MDF products in the home.

According to Mick Holder, of the independent advisory service London Hazards, gas emissions from new MDF furniture could cause ill health.

'If there is poor ventilation in a house or the inhabitants suffer from certain allergies or chemical sensitivities, we believe the formaldehyde emitted from MDF, although in a very small amount, can cause serious ill health,' he said.

The wood industry has rejected the allegations surrounding MDF, which is now the centre of a multi-billion pound market.

David Duke-Evans, director-general of the Wood Panel Industries Federation, which represents MDF manufacturers, said: 'It has nothing in common with asbestos. While we understand the concern of the unions, (such claims) are based on ill-founded and unsubstantiated rumours.'

Formaldehyde, it says, is a naturally occurring chemical found in all living cells and is used in the production of many items, including paints, varnishes and cosmetics. 'Tomatoes and kippers contain considerably more formaldehyde than MDF,' it says.

The cancer link was also questioned by the federation: 'Studies involving more than 50,000 workers exposed to formaldehyde for many years showed no evidence of cancers in humans.'

People using MDF should use standard protection, such as wearing dust masks and cutting in properly ventilated places, the federation said.

A spokeswoman for the hardware chain B& Q said: 'Our understanding is that the only precautions necessary for MDF relate to the normal control of exposure to inhaling other wood dust products.'

But Rory O'Neill, a health and safety academic and editor of the widely respected Hazards magazine, rejects this as complacent: 'The fact is that, like asbestos, MDF is promoted as a wonder product, but it is undoubtedly a dangerous substance. It is certainly too hazardous for a DIY enthusiast to use.

This blog will be centered around a topic that has been quite prevalent in our market for a long time: MDF and its safety concerns. As sellers of MDF tabletops, we pride ourselves as experts, and will provide a thorough and honest review of this product, so you can properly assess your purchase. In summary, this material is completely safe – and we will tell you why! Without further ado, let’s dive into this discussion!

Medium-density fiberboard, abbreviated as MDF, is one of the most commonly utilized engineered woods for crafting daily-use furniture items. Its popularity in the furniture world places it among the likes of other famous wood products, like plywood and hardboard. MDF boards start like any other wood type: trees. Once the trees are cut down and sorted out based on their type, density, and health, the very best of the specific category of wood used for making MDF is picked out by manufacturers.

This wood is then chopped into chips and shaving, processed to clean it up and filter out unwanted substances, and finally turned into small-sized wood fibers with the help of a machine called a defibrator. Once the fibrous, pulpy raw material is prepared, it is mixed up with synthetic binders/resins that acts as adhesive for the discrete fibers. This mixture is then rolled into sheets of desired dimensions and through the application of controlled heat and pressure, the final product is achieved in the form of MDF. Post-processing like applying veneers and laminations transform these MDF sheets into the various furniture items we use in our homes.

Most other wood products have a similar manufacturing process. Wood is processed, bound together through suitable adhesives, and finished with some surface coating. To know more about different kinds of tabletop materials, we suggest you read this article.

The notion that MDF is unsafe stems from the use of a compound called Urea-Formaldehyde, also known as Formaldehyde and UF, in the manufacturing of MDF boards. Formaldehyde is part of the adhesive mixture used to bind the wood fibers together and it is known to cause health issues like watery eyes, respiratory problems, and has also inconclusively been linked to cancer. Any safety concerns arise when people learn that MDF boards emit Formaldehyde from its surface into the surrounding environment, from where it can potentially enter our bodies.

However, it is necessary to know all of the information is to determine whether MDF is safe to use in the home or not.

It might come as a surprise to you that Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound found in a majority of living beings. Formaldehyde is one of the by-products of our metabolic systems and is emitted by plants, animals, and even human beings themselves. It is not just in our furniture but in the plants in our backyard, our pets, all family members living with us – the list is endless! Health issues arise when Formaldehyde is present in an amount above a certain safety limit, typically said to be above 0.1 ppm. If Formaldehyde’s composition in the environment exceeds this limit, then it undoubtedly is a health hazard and exposure to such an atmosphere must be avoided at all cost.

Now back to the main point, is furniture made from MDF safe? The answer is now a simple one; yes, it is! If the amount of Formaldehyde is controlled during the manufacturing of MDF, it still would emit Formaldehyde but in truly negligible amounts, much smaller than the scientifically proven safety threshold. Since the harmful effects of Formaldehyde have been established, there have been strict international standards in place that limit the use of Formaldehyde in consumer products to well below the safety limits. MDF is no different in this regard; all manufacturers in the North American region are bound to follow strict guidelines regarding the use of this substance in their products.

In accordance with these legalities, manufacturers have adapted extra safety measures to keep the Formaldehyde at bay. Most use surface laminations that prevent the substance from being released into the air. Furthermore, paint is a great restrictor for Formaldehyde emissions. The layer of paint on an MDF board’s surface blocks the particulates inside, answering and confirming another question we get: is MDF safe when painted?

In fact, we would like to add, that MDF is primarily engineered for indoor applications, which is also its most common market use. Its inherent structure makes it a great material for furniture like tabletops, with its strength, durability, and water resistance playing a huge role in this.

Believe it or not, quite opposite to the widely held misconception of MDF being unsafe, it is actually an environmental-friendly product. MDF wood panels are entirely composed of materials that can be recycled and put to good use once their life is over. They also do not harm the environment by not decomposing, making it a sustainable option to go for when considering home décor solutions.

We offer two types of tabletop material here at Progressive Desk: MDF and our newest addition, eco-friendly bamboo tabletops!

We hope you got something useful out of this! Indeed, MDF in furniture is safe; the science, safety rules, and its popularity prove it.

All said and done, we would now like to point you towards some of the very best MDF tabletops in the market. We offer a huge variety of MDF tabletops in a number of sizes and appearances. From our classy Ebony Ash to the rustic Maple Woodline, we have a huge range of tabletops for any workspace. Our MDF tabletops are robust, smooth, and spacious, guaranteeing you quality and durability!

Our group is committed to continual development, always engaged in new product development and market research for a better customer experience. The latest addition to our product line is the Bamboo Tabletop series.

Bamboo is an excellent material for tabletops, boasting strength, low density, and longevity. We provide them with a range of options, such as Matte/Gloss finish, rounded corners, and grommets. The Bamboo Dark Gloss is as elegant as it gets, it energizes your room’s aura.

Bamboo Dark Gloss Tabletop