Is MDF particle dust harmful?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=35235
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 8:29 AM
Topic: Is MDF particle dust harmful?
Posted By: markcars
Subject: Is MDF particle dust harmful?
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 11:41 AM
If I cut MDF sheets and don't wear a mask, is that harmful?
Replies:
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 11:49 AM
Well, it can clog up your nose, ears and mouth, but I don't think it is "harmful" like being poisonous. Definately wear good eye protection! ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 11:51 AM
Yes. There's a lot more dust involved with MDF than there is with (for example) plywood. I'm asthmatic so I use a respirator to keep the dust out. Even though I do my cutting outside I don't take any chances. I would suggest getting one like that as opposed to getting those cheap paper masks (which don't really work). ------------- Duane...
If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel. 
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 12:01 PM
Is a regular goggle from Home Depot enough for eye protection? And is a paper mask not enough? I cut 2 MDF sheets last weekened to build my sub and had quite lot of dust that I had to vacuum. The most dust I got was from cutting the center hole for the speaker, with my Rotozip tool. I made a mistake and forgot to drill a starting point hole, so I did that with the rotozip "saw-drill" and the starting point became black and smoke started coming out (from burning)
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 12:36 PM
I use these which i got from home depot. i like them because they protect your eye all the way around. The other try (sun glasses style) is good too. ------------- Duane...
If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.
Posted By: shaman
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 1:01 PM
If your outside making a box or two on a table saw I wouldn't worry. However there is a significant amount of adhesive used to make the material, that stuff is REALLY bad for you. If you burn some MDF you'll notice a disticnt odor, that is bad stuff turning into even worse compounds. So if you are gonna do alot of work with it I would definatly consider a resporator. It is also possible to develope allergies to materials like MDF (or any wood at all) but that is rare.
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 1:55 PM
Thanks for the info shaman. I won't be doing it anymore unless to build another box for my sub and trash the one I built. I want to make a new one shaped to fit my cabody interior well and take up less room. The smell was distinct but I did not smell it for more than a second and I did it outdoors with lots of wind blowing so I guess I got lucky. I should really invest in a respirator since they cost about 40$ and can save my future life. And living in NYC, you never know when you're gonna need one anyway!
and Swekster, I tried clicking on your link to homedepot but it does not show me the product. Can you give me the name or item number or SKU number if you can? Thanks.
Posted By: archemedes
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 2:03 PM
all lumber dust can be harmfull, a good dust respirator, and good safety glasses will do wonders, also be sure to work in a well ventilated area
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 2:04 PM
It's called a half-mask respirator. Any good building supplies or hardware store carries them. Cartridges are screw-in. It's best to use the double cartridges, giving you protection from both dusts (with a HEPA filter), and organic vapors (with activated charcoal). Having a beard will prevent proper fit, and make sure you get one that is NIOSH-approved. ------------- Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 4:00 PM
Sorry about the link..the SKU# is 298431. They're $3.98 on Home depot.com ------------- Duane...
If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel.
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 11:19 PM
I worked 8 hours just with mdf 1 day, and after that i had burns/rash all over my skin, , , there must be something acidic in the wood. ------------- 2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: audiokid1
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 11:54 PM
The wood particles are typically bonded with a glue that contains formaldyhide. So definitely make sure you use a blade that is sharp, so you don't have any binding and burning action. A good blade to use would be an all purpose 40 tooth ATB carbide tip blade.
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Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: July 09, 2004 at 1:54 PM
Formaldyhide is cancerous? Really hope thats not in there.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: July 09, 2004 at 3:12 PM
It looks like MDF has formaldehyde in it. to make matters worse, i read this article that says that soft-wood dusts can cause occupational asthma and cancer and they found increased incidence of nasal cancer in English furniture makers several years ago. Read this to find out more: Chemical Hazards Handbook: BECTU tackes MDF
It looks like nothing in this world is safe anymore. 
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: July 09, 2004 at 3:53 PM
Yeah .. after one night of working w/ MDF my throat was scratchy. Went out and bought a mask w/ filter and had no problems after that. Definitely some nasty sh*t in there.
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
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