Wood – not always as harmless as we’d like to think…

It is well known that wood dust can cause cancer. In France alone, 308,000 workers are exposed to it. And they run the risk of developing a particularly distressing cancer: cancer of the corpora cavernosa, in the upper respiratory tract.

Most at risk are those who work in the building and furniture industries. Exposure to wood dust constitutes a real challenge to public health. Used in all kinds of construction, wood is in fact far from harmless. In France the OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) is set at 1mg of dust per cubic metre of air. But over half of workers are exposed to higher levels. Hence the absolute necessity of wearing a protective mask.

And not just any mask! Surgical mask type equipment does nothing to protect the respiratory tract. On the other hand, professional quality respiratory protection equipment is effective.

The workers most exposed are those who spend all day sanding and sawing in enclosed areas. But DIY enthusiasts are also at risk. Without a mask, the risk to health ranges from a simple nosebleed to cancer of the nose and sinuses, or even lung cancer. It is not unusual either to see workers develop eczema, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and even asthma.

This is a large-scale problem. Today, cancers due to inhalation of wood dust are the second most common industrial cancer after those caused by asbestos. For more information, visit the website of the UK Health and Safety Executive: http://www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/dust.htm

20 March 2007 - 13:56