Medium Density Fibreboard - Wood Panel Product Use for construction of furniture and cabinets and/or general purpose building boards

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION/PROPERTIES:

• Appearance
  The products are manufactured as pressed boards ranging in thickness from 2.5mm to 33mm. They are made from wood partides which are bonded together with resin.

• Odour
  Newly manufactured board and freshly out surfaces may have a pine odour.

Boiling Point : Not applicable
Vapour Pressure: Not applicable
Vapour Density: Not applicable
Solubility Gravity: Not soluble

Specific Gravity: 0.45 - 0.90
Flash Point: Not applicable
Flammability: Not available
Auto Ignition Temp: Does not auto-ignite

• Ingredients

• Health Effects
This product, in its intact state, is not classified as hazardous according to citeria of Worksafe Australia.

Formaldehyde gas may be released in some circumstances. In well ventilated storage areas and workplaces, the concentration of formaldehyde is unlikely to exceed the World Health Organisation Standard of 0.1 ppm for thegeneral environment and it will be well below the Worksafe Australia Occupational Exposure Standard of 1.0 ppm. Wood dust may be produced from machining the product, and gas and vapour may be produced from heat processing.

Wood dust has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as group 1, carcinagenic to humans.

Worksafe Australia, based on a decision of the Commission of the European Union, has classified formaldehyde as a category 3 carcinogen - possible carcinogenic effects on humans.

Exposure to wood dust produced from machining the boards, and gas and vapour from processing (e.g. heating), boards with inadequate ventilation may result in the following health effects:

• Acute
Swallowed: Unlikely to occur, but swallowing the wood dust may result in abdominal discomfort.
Eyes: The dust, gas and vapour may be irritating to the eyes coursing discomfort and redness.
Skin: The dust, gas and vapour may irritate the skin, resulting in itching and occasionally a red rash.
Inhaled: The dust, gas and vapour may irritate the nose, throat and lungs especially in people with upper respiratory tract or chest complaints such asasthma.

• Chronic
  Repeated exposure over many years to uncontrolled wood dust increases the risk ofnasal cavity cancer. Inhalation of wood dust may also increase therisk of lung fibrosis (scarring). There arealso increased risks of respiratory and skin sensitisation resulting in asthma and dermatitis respectively.
  If thework practices noted in this MSDS are followed no chronic health effects are anticipated.

• First aids
  Swallowed: Drink a glass of water. If abdominal discomfort occurs seek medical attention.
  Eye: Flush with flowing water for at least 15 minutes, and if symptoms persist seek immediate medical attention.
  Skin: Wash with mild soap and running water. Remove clothing contaiminated with wood dust.
  Inhaled: Leave the dusty area.
  Advice to Doctor. Threat symptomatically.

• Exposure Standards
  The Worksafe Australia Exposure Standards, published in October 1991, are
  

  • Wood dust (Softwood)
    5mg/m3 time-weighted average (TWA) measured as inspirable particulates.
    10mg/m3 short term exposure limit (STEL). Sensitising, to the skin and respiratory tract.
  • Formaldehyde
    1.0ppm (1.2mg/m3) time weighted average (TWA)
    2.0ppm (2.5mg/m3) short term exposure level (STEL)
    It is also listed as a sensitiser and a category 3 carcinogen
  • Paraffin Wax
    2 mg/m3 time weighted average (TWA)
    Manufacturers Rcommendation: keep exposures as low as practicable with the aim of maintaining inspirable wood dust levels below 1.0 mg/m3 (TWA).

• Engineering Controls:
  All work with these boards should be carried out in such a way as to minimise the generation of dust.
  
  Under factory conditions, sawing, drilling, sanding etc; should be done with equipment fitted with exhaust devices capable ofremoving dust at the source. Hand power tools should be fitted with dust bags and used in well ventilated areas.

• Skin Protection
  Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Long-sleeved shirts, trousers are recommended to prevent skin irritation.
  After handling boards, wash skin with mild soap and water. Do not scratch or rub the skin if it becomes irritated.
  Wash work clothes regularly and separately from other clothes.
  Comfortable work gloves (AS2161) should be worn.

• Respiratory Protection
  If wood dust exposures are not controlled when machining this product, a class P1 or P2 replaceable filter or disposable face piece respirator should be worn. Respirators should comply with AS/NZS 1716. and be selected, used and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1715.

• Eye Protection
  General use industrial safety glasses or non-fogging goggles (AS/NZS 1337) should be worn when machining.

• Flammability
  These boards are flammable but difficult to ignite.
  
  Fine airbome dust can ignite, so avoid a build-up of wood dust and keep all storage and work areas well ventilated.
  
  Avoid sources of radiant heat and flame, and avoid sparks and sources of ignition in all electrical equipment, including dust extration equipment.
  
  People must not smoke in storage or work areas.

• Storage and Transport:
  The boards should be stored in well ventilated areas away from source of heat, flames or sparks.
  No special transport requirements are considered necessary.

• Spills & Disposals:
  Off-cuts and general waste material should be placed in containers and disposed of at approved landfill sites, or burnt in an approved furnace or incinerator, in accordance with disposal authority guidelines.
  Dust from the boards should be cleaned up by vacuuming or wet sweeping.

• Fire/Explosion Hazard:
  obtained from tests in accordance with Australian Standard 1530.3.
  

  Ignitability Index, (0-20)	14
  Spread Of Flame Index, (0-10)	7-8
  Heat Evolved Index, (0-10)	6-7
  Smoke Developed Index, (0-10)	3

  
  Do not burn in barbeques, combustion stoves or open fires in the home as irritating gases are emitted.
  
  Burning or smouldering boards or wood dust can generate carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen cyanide and other pyralysis products which are irritating to the respiratory tract. Dry wood dust in high concentrations can be explosive. Use water, carbon dioxide foam or dry chemical fire extinguishers. Avoid breathing smoke from burning or smouldering materials. Firefighters to wear breathing apparatus.