Sawmilling Process | Kiln Dried Lumber Process | Custom Millwork Process | Material Safety Data

Material Safety Data
Table of Contents
Wood Dust Combustibility ....................................................................2
Allergic Reaction Possibilities & Suggested Safety Precautions.....2 - 3
OSHA Material Safety Data...................................................................9

Wood Dust Combustibility
This section is provided to help mitigate through education, the potential dangers in using wood, creating sanding and sawdust and then breathing or coming in contact with that dust.

Wood dust is combustible. It will:
• Burn easily when exposed to an open flame or is heated sufficiently.
• Explode when suspended in the air in sufficient quantities and/or it comes in contact with an ignition source
• Ignite through spontaneous combustion if it is mixed with oils.

Wood dust is a potential carcinogen with an increased risk of contracting nasal cancer after repeated and long-term exposure to wood dust.

Wood dust is the medium by which potentially irritant chemicals found in wood can cause allergic dermatitis and respiratory reactions.

Allergic reaction
Most all woods, cosmetic, as well as imported, contain chemical compounds which some people can find irritating during cutting or sanding. However, the woods themselves are not hazardous, skin contact or inhalation of wood dust can be. As this is the usual means to convey the potentially irritating compounds found in most woods, installers, because of their repeated exposure to sanding and saw dust, need to be aware of the possibility of allergic reaction. Your flooring, once coated with a finish, is basically inert.

This allergic reaction comes in two forms:
• It can be respiratory, cause sneezing and/or breathing problems or
• It can be in the form of a skin irritant causing itching and in rare cases allergic reactions such as painful rashes.

As an individual becomes sensitized to a wood over time these reactions get stronger. In one case, a famous installer, who has been using exotic wood in elaborate pattern work extensively over the last twenty years and had obviously been previously sensitized as a result, experienced serious contact dermatitis and broke out in painful rashes when installing Bolivian Rosewood floor. So it can happen.

In general, preventing measures such as having good dust collection attached to your sanders, wearing long sleeve shirts and hats to avoid skin exposure, and showering after being exposed to dust, will minimize the skin irritant potential. Wearing a good dust respirator will mitigate the respiratory dangers.

However, for those who wish to test their skins allergic reactive potential prior to working with large quantities of dust may perform skin patch test. Take a small quantity of fine dust from the wood being used and place under a round band-aid on the inside of your forearm. Leave in place for 24 hours and then remove. If any serious skin irritation is present, DO NOT proceed. We recommend this test be performed prior to using any woods in quantity and/or in very dusty conditions, which we have noted as having high potential for allergic reaction. On the following page is a chart, which list woods and potential allergic reactions.

Wood dust is also extremely combustible. Keep in a cool dry place away from ignition sources. Avoid creating dust clouds which in turn create severe explosion hazards should it come in contact with an ignition source. For more information, please refer to the OSHA Material Safety Data.

Wood Dust
Section I: Product Identification
Product Name and Synonyms: Wood dust, Sawdust
Case Name and Number: N/A
Chemical Family: Can be found as component of wood, wood chips, and planer shavings.
Chemical Formula: N/A
Manufacturers Name and Address:
Bailey Wood Products Inc.
441 Mountain Road
Kempton, PA 19529

Section II: Hazardous Ingredients
ACGIH TWA:
ACGIH STEL:
OSHA PEL:
Component %: (Weight/Volume) (Units) Units Units
Wood dust 100% a mg/m3* No current PEL
5 mg/m3** 10 mg/m3** for organic dusts, including wood dusts.
* hardwoods
**softwoods

Section III: Physical Properties
Appearance and odor: A granular or finely powdered solid in varying colors and odors dependant on the wood type.
Molecular Weight: N/A
Boiling Point (Degrees Fahrenheit): N/A
Melting Point (Degrees Fahrenheit): N/A
Vapor Pressure (MM. of Mercury): N/A
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): N/A
Vapor Density (Air = 1): N/A
Percent Volatile (by weight): N/A
PH: N/A
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Evaporation Rate (BUTYL Acetate = 1): N/A

ALLERGIC REACTION POTENTIAL CHART
Most Common Name
in flooring TradeAllergic PotentialCommon Imported Flooring Woods
Which are well known to cause irritationCherry, AfricanD & REbony, GabouDEbony, MacassurDIroka, KambalaD & RRosewood, all typesDTeakD & RWalnut, AfricanD & RCommon Imported Flooring Woods
Which sometimes cause irritationAfrormosiaD & RAneliqueD & RAniegreD & RAsh Mountain/AplineDBubingaDCherry, African(Makore)D & RChestnut, SouthernDCypress, AustralianRDoussieD & RGum, SpottedDGum, Sydney BlueDImbuiaD & RMahogany, AfricanD & RMahogany, HonduranD & RMahogany, PhilippineD & RMahogany, SantosRMahogany, SapeleDOak, Silky/LacewoodDOak, TazmanianDPadaukD & RRaminD & RRosewood, AsianD & RSatin WoodDTeak, BrazilianDWalnut, BrazilianDWengeD & RZebrawoodRCommon Domestic Flooring Woods
Which sometimes cause irritationAshRCedar, White & RedD & RCherryDFirD & RMapleDOak, Red & WhiteDRedwoodD & RWalnutD & RAll woods listed above taken from Woods Injurious to Human Health by Bjorn M Hausen 1981

D = cases of contact dermatitis have been reported
R = cases of respiratory disorders have been reported
All wood dust can cause respiratory problems. Many types of wood dust can also cause allergic reactions when coming in contact with your skin. The woods listed are known to have a higher degree of risk of reactive problems. Please take precautions such as good ventilation, dust masks, etc., to limit skin contact with the dust to avoid potential problems especially when using woods from the 1st group above.

Section IV: Fire and Explosion Data
Flash Point: N/A
Fire Extinguishing Media: Determined by surrounding fire. Use a water spray to wet down wood dust to reduce likelihood of ignition or dispersion of dust into the air. Remove burned or wet dust to safe open area after fire is out.
Flammable Units (Percent by Volume):
Lower: Variable **White pine flour/dust-ca. 0.035 ox/ft3
Upper: Not available
**Values depend on wood type, particle size, level of moisture in wood, time and rate of heating, etc. (Typically, white pine auto ignition would be at about 390 - 500 degrees F.)
Special Fire Fighting Procedures & Equipment: None
Unusual Explosion and Fire Hazards: Wood dust is a strong to severe explosion hazard if a dust “cloud” contacts an ignition source. Partially burned dust is especially hazardous if dispersed in air. 212 degrees F has been suggested as the upper temperature limit for continuous exposure for wood without risk of ignition (wood dust may require a still lower temperature). For example: white pine flour/dust as a “cloud” in air requires 0.040 J min. energy for ignition and can produce an explosion pressure of 113 psig max.

Section V: Reactivity Data
Stability: _Unstable X Stable
Conditions to Avoid: N/A
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Oxidizing agents and drying oils.
Hazardous Polymerization: Thermal-oxidative degradation of wood produces irritating and toxic fumes and gases, including CO, aldehydes and organic acids.
Hazardous Polymerization: _ will occur X will not occur
Conditions to Avoid: Wood dust is extremely combustible. Keep in a cool, dry place away from ignition sources.

Section VI: Health Hazard Information
Effects of Overexposure: Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of wood dust in air. Repeated exposures (even below 5 mg/m3) to certain wood dusts (see attached list) can produce allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with the skin, which will also cause allergic responses. If allergic responses, such as dermatitis, asthma, or bronchitis develop, it may be4 necessary to remove the sensitive worker from further exposure to wood dust (and also to wood based products like turpentine and resin).
Probable Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin
Emergency and First Aid Procedures:
Ingestion: N/A
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air.
If persistent irritation, severe coughing, breathing difficulties or rash occur, get medical advice before returning to work with wood dust.
Eye Contact: Flush with water to remove dust particles from the eye.
If irritation persists, get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
If a rash, or persistent irritation of dermatitis occurs, get medical advice before returning to work where wood dust is present. If a splinter enters the skin, remove with tweezers.

Section VII: Toxicity Data
Oral: Not Available
Dermal: The chronic effects of skin contact with wood dust are not fully known and may vary from one wood to another.
Inhalation: N/A
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARG, WTP, ACGIH, or OSHA
Other Pertinent Data: Certain species of woods, (see attached list), are known to cause skin, eye and URT irritation along with allergenic responses and asthma. Exposure to wood dust has been statistically associated with nasal cancer in British furniture workers. (CODATA bulletin, November 1978).

Section VIII: Special Protection Information
Personal Protective Equipment *
Protective Gloves:
Recommended to reduce skin contact, except where moving machinery parts expose fingers to hazards.
Eye Protection:
Safety glasses
Respiratory Protection: (specific type)
Approved dust respirator, under dusty conditions.
*Protective equipment may be warranted at lower dust exposure levels, depending on species of wood.
Other Protective Equipment:
Recommend the use of clean body-covering work clothing to reduce exposure of skin to wood dust.
Ventilation:
Local Exhaust:
To meet TLV requirements. Due to the explosive potential of wood dust when suspended in air, precautions should be taken to prevent sparks or other ignition sources in ventilation equipment. Use of total enclosed motors is recommended.
Mechanical (general): N/A
Special: N/A
Other: N/A

Section IX: Spill, Leak, and Disposal Procedures
Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled:
Sweep up or vacuum up spills for recovery or disposal, avoiding dusting conditions. Provide good ventilation. Place recovered wood dust in a covered metal container for prompt disposal.
Waste Disposal Methods:
Dispose in a landfill or incinerate in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
Clean Water Act Requirements: N/A
Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Requirements: N/A

Section X: Regulatory Information
FDA: Pulp is listed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food packaging material and in paper and paperboard in contact with food (21CFR 186.1673). Methylcellulose (USF) is listed as GRAS when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice (GMP) as long as the methoxy content is not less 27.5% and not more than 31.5% on a dry-weight basis (21 CFT 182.1480). Cellulose pulp is approved for use as a component of resin-bonded filters used in producing, manufacturing, processing and preparing food (21 CFR 177.220 (d)(1)).
USDA: USDA self-certification (9 CFR 3171.20): is FDA approved.
CPSC: N/A
TSCA: Not listed in TSCA inventory
DOT: Proper Shipping Name: sawdust
Hazard Class: ORM-C
Label Required: None
Identification Number: None
Other Pertinent Information: Sawdust must be kept clean, dry and free from oil.

Section XI Special Precautions and Comments
Precautions to be Taken in Handling and Storing:
Avoid Hot, Humid storage or contact with drying oils. (Spontaneous combustion is possible). Partially burned or scorched wood dust can be hazardous to store.
Avoid generation of explosive levels of wood dust in the air.
Follow good housekeeping practices: clean up areas where wood dust settles to avoid excessive accumulation of this combustible material.
Follow good hygienic practices. Wash frequently, wear clean work clothing.
Other precautions: N/A
Registrations/Certifications: N/A
Effective Date: 9/01/93
Supersedes:
IMPORTANT: The information and data herein are believed to be accurate and have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable. It is offered for your consideration, investigation, and verification. Buyer assumes all risk of use, storage and handling of the product in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulation.
BAILEY WOOD PRODUCTS INC. MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE ACCURATE OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION AND DATA HEREIN.

BAILEY WOOD PRODUCTS INC. will not be liable for claims relating to any party’s use of reliance on information and data contained herein regardless of whether it is claimed that the information and data are inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise misleading.

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