Section 1 – Product Identification

Product Name: Wood Dust

Synonyms: Sawdust, sander dust
Description: Particles generated by any manual or mechanical cutting or abrasion process performed on all hard and soft woods

Section 2 – Hazardous Ingredients Information

CAS. #: not applicable-wood/wood dust

Section 3 – Physical Data

Boiling Point: Not applicable
Specific Gravity: Variable; dependent on wood species and moisture content.
Vapor Density: Not applicable
% Volatiles of Vol: Not applicable
Melting Point: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Solubility in H2O (% by wt.): Not applicable
Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate=1): Not applicable
pH: Not applicable
Appearance & Odor: Light to dark colored granular solid. Color and odor are dependent on the wood species and time since dust was generated.

Section 4 – Fire & Explosion Data

Flash Point: Not applicable
Auto Ignition Temperature: Variable, typically 400-500F
Explosive Limits in Air: 40 grams/m3
Extinguishing Media: Water, CO2, sand
Special Fire-Fighting Procedures: Use water to wet down wood dust to reduce the likelihood of ignition or dispersion of dust into the air. Remove burned or wet dust to open area after fire is extinguished.
Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazard: Strong to severe explosion hazard if wood dust “cloud” contacts an ignition source.

Section 5 – Health Hazard Data

Skin & Eye Contact: Eye irritation & dermatitis. Wood dust can cause eye irritation. Various species of wood dust can elicit allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.
Ingestion: Not applicable
Skin Absorption: Not known to occur.
Inhalation May cause: Nasal dryness, irritation and obstruction; coughing, wheezing and sneezing; Sinusitis and prolonged colds have also been reported.

Emergency & First Aid Procedures

Eyes: Flush with water to remove dust particles. If irritation persists, get medical attention.
Skin: Get medical advice if a rash or persistent irritation or dermatitis occur and before returning to work where wood dust is present.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If persistent irritation, severe coughing or breathing difficulties occur, get medical advice before returning to work where dust is present.
Ingestion: If the material is swallowed, get medical attention or advice. Do not induce vomiting.
Chronic Effects: Wood dust may be irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Depending on species, repetitive contact may cause dermatitis and allergic reactions; may cause respiratory sensitization and/or irritation. Prolonged exposure to wood dust by inhalation has been reported to be associated with nasal cancer. Wood dust is classified as a carcinogen by NIOSH, IARC, and ACGIH.

Reactive Data

Conditions Contributing to Instability: Stable under normal conditions
Incompatibility: Avoid contact with oxidizing agents, drying oils & open flame. Product may ignite at temperatures in excess of 400F.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal-oxidative degradation of wood produces: Irritating & toxic fumes & gases, including CO, aldehydes and inorganic acids.
Conditions Contributing to Polymerization: Not applicable

Section 6 - Exposure Control / Personal Protection

Exposure Limit: ACGIH TLV (R)
TWA: 1.0 mg/m3;
  – .5 mg/m3 western red cedar
STEL: 10 mg/m3 softwood;
  – n/a hardwood
TWA: 1.0 mg/m3- certain hardwoods such as beech and oak.
OSHA PEL: (For OSHA PELs see footnote 1 below)
PEL: 15.0 mg/m3;
  – 5 mg/m3 respirable fraction
STEL (15 min.): 6mg/m3 hardwoods;
  – n/a softwoods;
  – n/a Western Red Cedar;

footnote 1: Although OSHA’s Air Contaminants Rule, including OSHA’s wood dust PELs, was struck down in AFL-CIO v. OSHA, 965 F 2d 962(11th Cir 1992), a number of states have incorporated those provisions in their state plans. Additionally, OSHA has announced that it may cite companies under the OSHA Act general duty clause under appropriate circumstances for non-compliance with these levels.

Eye Contact: Avoid. Wear safety glasses with side shields when handling, cutting, or sanding wood.
Skin Contact: Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin. Wear puncture resistant work gloves when handling. Careful bathing & clean clothes are indicated after exposure.
Inhalation: Avoid repeated or prolonged breathing of wood dust in air. 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.
Ventilation: Provide adequate general and local exhaust ventilation to maintain healthful working conditions.
Safety Equipment: Provide and wear goggles or safety glasses. Other protective equipment, such as gloves and approved dust respirators, may be needed depending upon dust conditions.

Section 7 – Safe Handling, Storage, Disposal, and Accidental Release Measures

Recovery or Disposal: Clean-up. Sweep or vacuum spills for recovery or disposal; avoid creating dust conditions. Provide good ventilation where dust conditions may occur. Place recovered wood dust in a container for proper disposal according to local, state and federal regulations.
Handling and Storage Precautions: Avoid eye contact. Avoid open flame. Avoid contact with oxidizing agents and drying oils. Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of wood dust in the air and contact with skin. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling this product or in areas where wood dust is present.

Notice

Important: The information and data contained 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. Timber Holdings Intl. makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, concerning the accuracy or completeness of the information and data herein. Timber Holdings Intl. will not be liable for claims relating to any party’s use of or reliance on information and data contained herein, regardless of whether it is claimed that the information and data are inaccurate, incomplete or otherwise misleading.

Label for All Untreated Wood and Wood Products

CAUTION – Wood Dust

Sawing, sanding or machining wood products can produse wood dust which can cause a flammable or explosive hazard. Wood dust may cause lung, upper respiratory tract, eye and skin irritation; some wood species may cause dermatitis and/or allergic respiratory effects. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies wood dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) classifies wood dust as a known human carcinogen.

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Download: Material Safety Data Sheet 2008