MDF Board is Rated as a Human Carcinogen by the FDA

I have previously talked about this topic and the interest was so huge that I wanted to revisit the topic with some timely information.

MDF board, or composite wood was the miracle material of the 90's.  Anyone that watches HGTV routinely sees it being used to solve many problems on an interior because of its eas in smoothing into shapes, without spintering or needing extensive sanding.

MDF board or composite wood is wood dust, scrap and bonded together with bonding agents that contain formaldehyde to form a very fine particle material that can be cut, shaped and planed into very thin sheets or boards and used in many ways in the interior of a building.  Most commonly it is used for decorative trim that is not enduring impact routinely.  Mouldings, door casings, decorative ceiling details, and decorative trims throughout a house.  It is easily painted without grain or inconsistency and easily sawn. 

The problem is that the bonding agents used to form this miracle material are toxic.  No one ever thinks that Formaldehyde is a healthy thing, but in truth it is a human carcinogen that is much worse in long term exposure than almost any other.  When it is cut, sanded or shaped the dust is absolutley toxic and releases into tiny particulates that are breathed deeply into lungs because of their size. 
California has been puting stickers on houses containing MDF or composite wood since 1988.  The warning:  "This house contains a chemical known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive hazards."   This made the materials comply with the state's anti-toxin laws, but also ensured members did not face costly lawsuits from sick residents. 

Short term exposure casues irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.  Long term effects are cancer, reproductive interruption, heart and lung damage, skin lesions and birth defects.  It has been deemed the asbestos of the nineties by Roy Lockett, deputy general secretary of Bectu. 

The simple fact is that we do not know the long term effects of having these particulates deep in our lungs.  Asbestos was not recognized as a serious health risk until people got really sick.  The FDAs move is a strong one.  MDF now has to be disposed of as hazardous material.  Carbon filter breathing masks have to be used by workers working with it.  But the off gassing of this material with Formaldehyde as part of its chemical structure is the culprit that we do not want in our homes.