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The Fraternal Order of
Woodworkers
Medium
Density Fiberboard Informational Resource
The F.O.W. has been an active
participate in the education and effort to curtail the use of M.D.F.
on all job
sites in New York City for over
four years.
We are currently working
with elected officials to have MDF legislation that is similar to
the California
standards.
We also have,
Industrial Hygienist’s from Mount. Sinai Center for
Occupational and Environmental Medicine helping us in our current
campaign.
We as woodworkers ,are using
this hazardous product on a daily basis. We are hurting ourselves
and
all other trades on job sites.
M.D.F. is in our homes, job sites and work stations all across
America.
Isn’t it time to do the right
thing?
Below are numerous web sites
for your education on this cancer causing product.
Please send this information to
all you feel need to know about this
product.
Thanks and work
safe,
The Fraternal Order of
Woodworkers
January 2010
MDF/formaldehyde information
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LATEST ON FORMALDEHYDE AND
CANCER:
NTP to list it as known carcinogen
as of 12/09: <http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2009/december/spotlight-expert.cfm>
IARC considers it a known
carcinogen/relation to particleboard:
<http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde>
RESOURCES:
Composite Panel Association (CPA)
and contact info:
<http://www.pbmdf.com/>
Carpenter Health and Safety director
for Central Region with interest in MDF:
Tom Kavicky
312-255-8719
tkavicky@carpentersunion.org <mailto:tkavicky@carpentersunion.org>
California Air Resource Board
info:
<http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm>
CURRENT STANDARDS
Summary of California’s
Standard: <http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/outreach/pamphpanelmanufac.pdf>
California standard:
<http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2007/compwood07/fro-final.pdf>
Californias extention of deadline
due to recession: <http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/outreach/09_04_advisory.pdf>
ANSI Voluntary Standard (2009):
Supposed to be in compliance with California:
<http://www.pbmdf.com/CPA30/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000001479/Press%20Release-ANSI%20Standards-02-2009.pdf>
FORMALDEHYDE BADGES
For any sampling in an artificial
environment, we would recommend respirator protection in the
environment. This requires medical clearance and fit-testing. If you
are going to monitor an actual job, the job should be done as it is
normally performed.
Badges will measure formaldehyde
gas, but not the formaldehyde attached to the wood-dust. Cost
includes laboratory analyses:
3M badges: <http://www.labsafety.com/search/3M+formaldehyde+badge/24532931/>
WAYS TO CONTROL
EXPOSURES:
Sawing/sanding methods
Local exhaust
Dust collection systems
Dilution exhaust
Respirators
Air the wood out in advance
Low-emitting formaldehyde composites
Alternative wood products
LEGISLATION PENDING
USEPA Notice of Proposed
rulemaking:
<http://www.epa.gov/EPA-TOX/2008/December/Day-03/t28585.htm>
<http://www.epa.gov/EPA-TOX/2008/June/Day-27/t14618.htm>
CPA proposal: <http://www.pbmdf.com/cpa30/files/ccLibraryFiles/Filename/000000001616/PR-09-11-2009-Formaldehyde%20Legislation.pdf>
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/HHEprogram.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-167/pdfs/2009-167.pdf
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