Wood Dust Revised 10/3/2005 Page 1 of 2 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS, INC. 

2801 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 

(616) 364-6161 

www.ufpi.com

SECTION 1 – PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION 

 

PRODUCT NAME: Wood Dust

SYNONYMS: Sawdust, sander dust 

DESCRIPTION: Wood dust includes dust from all hard and soft woods. Consists of particles generated by any 

manual or mechanical cutting or abrasion process performed on wood. Also includes wood dust 

from formaldehyde bonded wood products. 

PREPARED BY: Legal Compliance Department 

SECTION 2 – HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS/IDENTITY INFORMATION 

CAS # Component Percent 

N/A Wood/Wood dust 92-100% 

50-00-0 Formaldehyde 0-8% 

SECTION 3 – PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES 

Appearance: Light to dark colored granular solid Specific Gravity: Not Available 

Odor: Wood odor—dependant on species Vapor Pressure: Not Available 

Boiling Point: Not Applicable Vapor Density: Not Applicable 

Melting Point: Not Applicable Density: Not Applicable 

Freezing Point: Not Applicable % Volatile by Volume: Not Applicable 

Weight per Gallon: Not Applicable Solubility (H2O): Not Applicable 

Evaporation Rate: Not Applicable Reactivity (H2O): Not Applicable 

SECTION 4 – FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD 

Flash Point Method Upper/Lower Flammable Limit Auto-ignition Rate of Burn Classification 

Not Applicable Not Applicable Lower: 40.0 g/m3 400–500 deg. F Not Available Combustible 

 

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Wood is combustible, and wood dusts may form explosive mixtures with air in the presence of an ignition source. 

Fire Fighting Equipment and Extinguishing Media: Use water to wet down wood to reduce the likelihood of ignition. Remove burned or wet dust to open 

area after fire is extinguished. Fire fighters should use full protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. 

SECTION 5 – HEALTH HAZARDS AND FIRST AID 

WARNING! Wood dust may form an explosive mixture with air, use exhaust ventilation when cutting, sawing or grinding in an enclosed area. Wood dust 

may cause irritation to eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract. When cutting, sanding, or grinding avoid inhalation and wear safety glasses. Handling may 

cause splinters, use puncture resistant gloves. 

 

 Signs and symptoms of acute overexposure First Aid Measures 

Eyes: Wood dust may cause irritation to the eyes. Symptoms can 

include irritation, redness, scratching of the cornea, and 

tearing 

Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. 

Seek medical attention if symptoms persist 

Skin: Wood dust may cause irritation to the skin. Mechanical 

rubbing may increase skin irritation. Some wood species 

and their dusts may contain natural toxins, which may cause 

dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. 

For skin contact flush immediately with soap and water, 

continue at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists, get medical 

attention immediately. If wood splinters are injected under the 

skin, get medical attention immediately. 

Ingestion: Ingestion of wood dusts is unlikely. If ingestion does occur, 

slight gastrointestinal irritation may result. Certain species 

of wood and their dusts may contain natural toxins, which 

can have adverse effects on humans. 

If the material is swallowed, get medical attention or advice. 

Do not induce vomiting. 

Inhalation: Wood dust is irritating to the nose throat and lungs. 

Symptoms may include nasal dryness, deposits or 

obstructions in the nasal passages, coughing, sneezing, 

dryness and soreness of the throat and sinuses, 

hoarseness, and wheezing. Some species may cause 

allergic respiratory reactions with asthma-like symptoms in 

sensitized individuals. 

If dusts are inhaled, remove person to fresh air. If symptoms 

persist, seek medical attention. 
Wood Dust Revised 10/3/2005 Page 2 of 2 

Note to Physician: Respiratory ailments and pre-existing skin conditions may be aggravated by exposure to wood dust 

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure to Wood Dust: Pre-existing eye, respiratory system and skin conditions. 

Chronic Overexposure: Wood dusts may be irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Prolonged or repeated inhalation of wood dust may cause 

respiratory irritation, recurrent bronchitis, and prolonged colds. Depending on the species of wood, recurrent exposure may cause allergic skin and 

respiratory reactions in some individuals. 

Carcinogenicity: Prolonged exposure to wood dust by inhalation has been reported to be associated with nasal and paranasal cancer. Wood dust is 

classified as a carcinogen by ACGIH, NIOSH, and IARC. This classification is based on an increased incidence of nasal and paranasal cancer in people 

exposed to wood dusts. Carcinogenicity of wood dust: ACGIH – A1 Confirmed Human Carcinogen (related to wood dusts-hard wood; NIOSH – 

Occupational carcinogen (related to wood dust); IARC -- Monograph 62, 1995 (related to wood dust)(Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans)). IARC has listed 

formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. 

SECTION 6 – EXPOSURE CONTROL MEASURES/PERSONAL PROTECTION 

Personal Protective Equipment 

Eyes/Face: Wear Safety glasses with side shields when handling, cutting, sanding, or grinding this material. Use a face 

shield for processes that may generate excessive dusts and splinters. 

Skin: Wear puncture resistant work gloves, such as leather when handling. 

Respiratory: Respirators must be worn if the ambient concentration of airborne contaminants exceeds prescribed exposure 

limits. Dust masks may be worn to avoid inhalation of nuisance dust. Dust masks are not adequate protection in 

environments above the occupational exposure limit. 

Ventilation: Cutting, grinding or sanding should be done outdoors or in a well ventilated area. 

Component Exposure Limits 

Component OSHA ACGIH 

PEL STEL TLV TLV STEL 

Softwoods 15 mg/m3 total dust 

5 mg/m3

 respirable fraction 

(as a nuisance dust) 

N/A 1 mg/m3

 TWA 10 mg/m3 TWA 

Hardwoods 15 mg/m3 total dust 

5 mg/m3

 respirable fraction 

(as a nuisance dust) 

6 mg/m3

 TWA 1 mg/m3 TWA N/A 

*Wood/Wood dust 

Western Red Cedar 15 mg/m3

 total dust 

5 mg/m3

 respirable fraction 

(as a nuisance dust) 

N/A 0.5 mg/m3

 TWA 10 mg/m3 TWA 

Formaldehyde 0.75 ppm 2 ppm 0.3 ppm N/A 

 *A state run OSHA program may have more stringent limits for wood dust and/or Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated. 

SECTION 7 – SAFE HANDLING, STORAGE, DISPOSAL, AND ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES 

Handling Procedures: 

- Do not generate airborne dusts in the presence of an ignition source when sawing, cutting or grinding wood. 

- Practice good personal hygiene procedures. 

- Avoid contact of wood dusts with skin and eyes. Avoid breathing wood dusts. 

- Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling this product or in areas where dusts of this product are present. 

Storage Procedures 

- Maintain good housekeeping procedures, such as sweeping regularly to avoid accumulation of dusts 

- Store in a cool, dry area away from excessive heat, sparks, and open flame. 

Disposal Procedures 

- Dispose of waste material according to local, State, and Federal Regulations. 

Accidental Relases 

- No containment measures are necessary 

NOTICE: THE INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH ARE BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE. HOWEVER, UNIVERSAL FOREST 

PRODUCTS, INC., MAKES NO WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FROM RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION.