MDF formaldehyde

[Peanjo]

Hi, been having a bit of a nightmare about mdf lately. Husband has made two
cabinets using sheets of finsa mdf and I am worried about some safety issues. First issue was the sheets were cut inside but I am also worried that unsealed sheets and off cuts were lying around our kitchen for weeks potentially releasing formaldehyde. We have young children. Should I be worried, I’m ready to just remove the cabinets altogether.

 

[Sachakins]

The cutting of it indoors was not the best idea, not because of its make up but for the dust it produces, as it's super fine but regarding your other fears see below.


MDF contains a very low level of formaldehyde. The amount emitted from the board is not harmful and begins to reduce as soon as the board has been produced.

https://wpif.org.uk › uploads › mdf ...


Also FYI,
All wood species, and therefore all wood products, contain and emit small amounts of formaldehyde. Because formaldehyde occurs naturally in wood, there is no such thing as “formaldehyde-free” wood. An oak tree, for example, emits 0.009 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde.

 

[Doug B]

Which Fensa product have you got?
This https://www.finsa.com/en/material-selector?cat=tech&gama=fibrapan will help you identify which board you have & what class it falls into with regards to you worries.

 

[Peanjo]

Thanks the hardware place we bought it from just said it was fibrapan sheets. Is the dust the real problem here, we already know cutting inside was not good. The room was ventilated but aware now the dust is so fine and was likely hanging around for a while. I just don’t want to think it is still giving off formaldehyde as we only just got round to sealing and painting in the last week.

 

[Orraloon]

I would say that within a couple of hours the dust would have settled out and landed and then been cleaned up by general housekeeping. Soft furnishings have higher levels of it. In a well ventilated home its not that big a problem unless there is a fire. Talking to many firefighters on the many courses I attended over the years its a big problem for them. Its why they all wear breathing gear at house fires. Formaldehyde is the base of that new car smell. Some love it so much they buy spray cans of it to keep the smell going. In modern life we are rubbing shoulders with it every day unless you live in a cave in Tibet. Still not good practice to cut up wood products with a power saw indoors as wood dust is not that good for you either. Long as you dont make a habit of it. I think if you have not felt bad from it in the few days after exposure then you got away ok. That said most materials have a safety data sheet (may be called something else in the UK) stating what chemicals are in it plus safe handling advice and health advice. Pays to ask.
Regards
John

 

[Peanjo]

Thank you for your reply, it was a one off DIY project so we weren’t really aware of the risks but won’t be doing anything like it inside again. Think we just assumed if something was being sold to the general public without a clear health warning it can’t be that bad. It was only when I started reading about mdf i learned about the formaldehyde content. It probably took around 20 longer cuts and then a number of smaller pieces to make shaker style doors so hoping it wasn’t too excessive or that there are any long term risks. Everyone seems fine so far.

 

[TRITON]

Yeah, cutting it outside is the way to go dust wise. And you can always work out how to direct that dust towards that neighbour you hate.