The Dirt on Wood Dust

Wood Dust

Webster's dictionary defines the word dust as "fine particles of matter". When working in a shop using machine tools, hand tools or other mechanism to manipulate wood, wood cells are shattered and break into various sizes of matter: wood chunks, chips, slivers and/or dust.

Hazards

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), wood dust is a potential health problem when wood dust becomes airborne. "Breathing these particles may cause allergic respiratory symptoms, mucosal and non-allergic respiratory symptoms, and cancer." A study at Ohio State University also showed adverse health effects from wood dust exposure to include dermatitis, a skin disorder.

For a listing of woods and their toxicity rating, please view the Wood Toxicity Table found on Bill Pentz's web page.