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Health Risks the Use of MDF

MDF is made of wood, especially the branch (small diameter) or the type of wood that does not have high strength values are mixed with a binder so that the sheets of board. Production process through so many working steps to produce some things that can cause risk to our health as end users as well as producers.
Dust
On each sheet of MDF that you receive from your distribution warehouse you can find a thin layer of dust on the surface of the MDF. Is very small dust particle size and potentially asthma, especially for workers in the area of production (division, cutting, sanding and others). Or in the office furniture, computer desk and TV cabinet you just bought will be found a thin layer of dust (especially at the bottom). This risk is greater will be directly related to the furniture factory workers. Therefore it is important to know and understand to always use the right kind of masks for employees who work in the production area.
Formaldehyde
Basically, the production of artificial board using glue made from Formaldehyde resin to glue the wood particles and dust into sheets board. Formaldehyde chemicals was known to cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, even though only the low-level contacts. According to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), a sub-organization of the WHO (World Health Organization) found that wood dust is a 'carcinogen' (cancer causing) and Formaldehyde also mentioned the possibility that the same carcinogen level 3, which means a potential to be a cause of cancer, so the usage should be given a replacement if possible or reduce its use as small as possible. For consumers, if you've just bought a set of furniture cupboard or desk made of sheets of MDF or other particle board, distinctive aroma coming out of your furniture and will sometimes feel pain in his eyes when we get too close, especially when opening door. That's why we recommend if it had just bought a cupboard made of artificial board, you should leave the doors open for a few days before use. American and Australian standards limit emissions of Formaldehyde in MDF maximum 0.3 ppm (parts per million). In Germany and some Scandinavian countries actually provide a lower limit of 0.1 ppm. Measurement of Formaldehyde emission levels can be known through laboratory tests with a special method.
Preventive Action
The owner of the company has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety for employees. One step that can be taken is to just using MDF E1 (low emission), which means to have content under the maximum limit if possible. Some of the current MDF producers have also started promoting the type E1 MDF in accordance with international standards.
For producers:
Dust from the MDF process can not be avoided, therefore, to eliminate the risk,
1. Good ventilation in the room will be very useful production. Exhaust must work well in order to ensure the production of space is always free of MDF dust.
2. The employees who work should always be clean workplace in order free from dust.
3. Management must provide masks and gloves to avoid direct contact with the skin, because Formaldehyde can cause skin irritation.
4. Employees should always use when working with MDF.
5. Layering MDF surface with finishing materials although only the basic layer.
For Consumers:
1. Leave the doors and drawers in the furniture that had just bought open without use for a few days or weeks to let go Formaldehyde content of artificial board material.
2. Ask the seller about the type of MDF furniture they use. To use E1 type of furniture must be more expensive.

Author : Draker_Ster is the owner of the website which specialists in offering indoor and outdoor furniture.