"Allergic reaction" to "MDF" - anyone got any experience with this?

[six-point socket II]

"Allergic reaction" to "MDF" (or it's "ingredients") - anyone got any experience with this - is it even possible in todays day and age with all the regulations/precautions in place?

Yesterday I was fitting and hanging a couple of decorative panels with MDF backing. They are for indoor use, per technical data sheet it's MDF E1 (no more than 0.10 ppm formaldehyde emissions).

I really don't do a lot with MDF, and the last time I used panels with MDF backing was roundabout ten years ago. However, without any issues.

Now while working with the panels, cutting them on the miter saw (with dust extraction), a couple of holes with a hole saw and then hanging them I had zero problems.

Then I went to clean up, removed the hose from the miter saw which was pretty much covered in finest, brown, MDF dust - I held the hose in my hand for the clean up - thus thats the only time I had "intensive" contact to the MDF dust, as I did not wipe the hose before touching and then using it.

About an hour after the cleanup, my face started itching and showed some light redness, that went away but sure enough traveled further down to my chest. When that stopped, my wrists started itching and hives formed on both. I treated that with a light coat of hydrocortisone cream in the evening and once more before going to bed. In the morning everything was good.

So I guess my main question is, is it likely the MDF - or was it just a coincidence, because as far as I understand, there can be like a million reasons for getting hives, and I've had that before, just not with the face/chest itching prior to it.

Before I pester my GP with it, anyone know if it's possible for a doctor/dermatologist to test for this stuff?

I have some more work to do with this stuff, so I will see what happens anyway - but it's was surely a first for me. Can't remember to have ever reacted to working with any kind of building materials before.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[jeffinsgf]

No hives, but even with dust collection my nose starts running like a faucet when I have to cut MDF.

 

[jeh]

"Allergic reaction" to "MDF" (or it's "ingredients") - anyone got any experience with this - is it even possible in todays day and age with all the regulations/precautions in place?

The government(s) cannot regulate your allergic reactions to an ingredient of a product if it is deemed safe. You are allergic has nothing to do with regulations and precautions.

 

[Charles959]

This article from the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH.org) is quite detailed. I had not encountered this website before:

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Safety for Carpenters

Mount Sinai School of Medicine
April 2010

 

[six-point socket II]

The "deemed safe" part is what I was referring to/ thinking about when I wrote that latter part: I was under the impression that the thresholds for certain, potentially harmful/ potentially allergenic ingredients are that low, that any reaction to them is rather unlikely. That in the end no one can control how my body reacts, is obviously true.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

Thank you very much [member=27006]Charles959[/member] !

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Charles959]

You are welcome.

I plan to keep that article, and study it some more.

I recall that my parents had a kitchen table made with mdf before the formaldehyde hazard was widely known. We have to keep in mind that there may be older sources of formaldehyde in our homes or workplaces, and the additional exposure that might come from working with mdf might add up to enough exposure to cause symptoms in a particular person.

 

[six-point socket II]

Already added it as PDF to my library and will do more research in my native language. It seems, I underestimated this by a bit, thinking that I was good to go with just the dust extraction and an outdoor "workshop". Will take more precautions on the next run & hope that will do.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[woodferret]

Maybe you're allergic to a specific type of tree that was used in that batch of MDF.  Or there was some allergen/mold that was in that sawdust they used.

I'm insensitive to formaldehyde.  But some common wood species, even SPF dust, hit me harder.

 

[Lincoln]

MDF was on the verge of being 'banned' down here in Aus, except for professional shops. Not sure what happened, because it's still readily available at the local big box stores.
All of the big construction sites I've worked on have had an 'MDF Room' and this is the only place it can be cut/machined on the site.
Been working with it for over 25 years and haven't had a reaction, but I can absolutely see how it could cause one, and I've worked with people who have.
Tasmanian Blackwood is the one that I worry about - the dust particles are barbed, like a fish hook. Once you breath them in they lodge in your throat and lungs. Beautiful timber but nasty stuff.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The dust has a tendency to be much finer that any other wood products. It can make quite a mess, if you don't actively try to control it. Plus it's light and blows around in the air and even clinging to surfaces.
Most of the warnings here involve breathing it, rather than skin contact.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I don't know if I'm truly allergic to MDF dust, but I have to take precautions before cutting it. If I'm doing a lot of cuts, I wear a long-sleeve shirt, wear a respirator, and run an overhead air filtration system (that I specifically bought because of MDF). Obviously, run all the dust collection available.

If I don't and, say, an edge cut tosses a good load of dust on my arms, they get pretty red and itchy. If I breathe too much of the dust (and too much is actually very little), I'll have the most horrible sinus headache the next day.

And while we joke that everything in Australia is trying to kill you, it turns out native Tasmanian Blackwood sawdust is trying, too. That's nuts, [member=69760]Lincoln[/member]

 

[Alanbach]

Dermatologists do perform allergy tests for contact dermatitis. The test is a bit of a pain because they do the “scratches” on your back in a grid and you can’t shower or bath for four days. I do not know what the particular items that they can test for are. I also do not know if they can get testing materials for specific items that you request although I doubt it. Contact dermatitis is definitely a thing, somewhat separate from or in addition to food and / or respiratory allergies. This is based on my experiences here in the states. I cannot speak regarding the medical practices in other countries although I doubt they differ materially.

 

[Mini Me]

This article from the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH.org) is quite detailed. I had not encountered this website before:

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Safety for Carpenters

Mount Sinai School of Medicine
April 2010

Reading that reinforces my approach to dust extraction and emphasises that the dust you can't see is the dangerous stuff. Dust extraction requires moving big volumes of air at the machine a vacuum cleaner style of DE can't do that. Your health is your concern and no one else's and your choices will most probably have an affect on it.

 

[batmanimal]

I wash out my sinuses with a saline solution after cutting all day and also if my allergies are acting up (seasonal, but also sometimes related to whatever I’m cutting). Even with PPE, I feel better after a good rinse. I use the Navage, it’s like a NeilMed bottle or neti pot, but powered to draw out the saline wash into one nostril and out the other. Very efficient and more pleasant than the NeilMed.

I’ve noticed it helps my allergy symptoms a lot to flush everything out at end of day. I tend to get itchy and rash in contact with chemicals or certain kinds of wood dust.

Keep Benedryl in your first aid kit for next time, if you can. Allergies can be unpredictable in terms of severity (ie one day it’s a mild reaction, but the next time it’s really bad), they can get scary fast. (I have a kid with a nut allergy)

 

[six-point socket II]

Thank you very much everyone for the contributions!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[PaulMarcel]

I wash out my sinuses with a saline solution after cutting all day and also if my allergies are acting up (seasonal, but also sometimes related to whatever I’m cutting). Even with PPE, I feel better after a good rinse. I use the Navage, it’s like a NeilMed bottle or neti pot, but powered to draw out the saline wash into one nostril and out the other. Very efficient and more pleasant than the NeilMed.

Ah, I had a powered Neti pot long ago, but it just pushed into one nostril. You can imagine how that didn't feel good if you were particularly congested... So I stopped using that one. I like the idea of the Navage and just ordered one (25% for Memorial Day coincidentally). That will definitely help. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Coen]

Yeah for me MDF dust is also one way of not sweating, drinking plenty of fluids but not having to pee. In the sense of runny nose to an insane level.

I can't remember any itching, but I avoid dust on my skin in general. But especially MDF is one of the worst for me. Before I knew exactly it was mainly the MDF that caused me problems I kinda avoid woodworking in general. More recently I have bought a 3M 6800 full-face mask that I use in any dusty environment, that also helps.

I have found that 2x 5 mg levocetirizine dihydrochloride (=hay fever medicine) per day does away with a bunch of itching, like that from oak processionary bristles. About everyone I know gets tiny red dots on the skin from those that last a few days and sometimes itch. I get 15mm long red ovals on my skin that last for like 6 weeks and itch like hell. The levocetirizine dihydrochloride won't make the red areas go away, but it will stop itching, so you also stop scratching or smearing menthol gel on it all day.
In NL they can only be bought with a prescription, costing about €12 per 180 tablets. But available over the counter in Hungray, Finland (both EU members).

 

[six-point socket II]

That sounds quite serious, I feel for you! Thanks for the recommendation!

In the mean time, I was able to finish the project without any further incidents/ allergic reaction(s). I did get a second dust extractor involved, used PPE (especially a FFP 3 filter), and wore gloves for the cleanup/ wiped the dust extractor hose before handling it for the cleanup.

In future I will try to simply avoid MDF whenever somehow possible.

Again, thank you very much for the contributions, everyone!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Charles959]

I just took delivery of a chair that has a tag that reads:

TSCA Title VI compliant.

I had not seen spec on a piece of furniture before. "TSCA" stands for Toxic Substances Control Act.

Small Entity Compliance for Formaldehyde Standards in Composite Wood Products