Material Safety Data – Wood Dust

SECTION I: PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name and Synonyms: Wood dust; Sawdust
Cas Name and Number: N/A
Chemical Family: Can be found as component of wood, wood chips, and planer shavings.
Chemical Formula: N/A
Manufacturer’s Name and Address:

Wood Flooring International, Inc.
122 Kissel Rd.
Burlington, NJ 08016
Emergency Telephone Number: (856)-764-4054

SECTION II: HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

ACGIH TWA:
ACGIH STEL:
OSHA PEL:
Component %: (Weight./Volume) (Units) Units Units
Wood dust 100% 1 mg/m3* No current PEL
5 mg/m3** 10 mg/m3** for organic dusts, including wood dust.
* - hardwoods
** - softwoods

SECTION III - PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance and Odor: A granular or finely powdered solid in varying colors/odors
dependent on wood type.
Molecular Weight: N/A
Boiling Point (Degrees Fahrenheit): N/A
Melting Point (Degrees Fahrenheit): N/A
Vapor Pressure (MM. OF MERCURY): N/A
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): Varying by wood type but generally between .5 to 1
Vapor Density (AIR = 1): N/A
Percent Volatile (by weight): N/A
Ph: N/A
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Evaporation Rate (BUTYL Acetate = 1): N/A

SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA

Flash Point: N/A
Fire Extinguishing Media: Determined by surrounding fire. Use a water spray to wet
down wood dust to reduce likelihood of ignition or dispersion of dust into the air. Remove
burned or wet dust to safe open area after fire is out.
Flammable Units (Percent by Volume):
Lower: Variable** White pine flour/dust- ca. 0.035 oz/ft3
Upper: Not available
**Values depend on wood type, particle size, level of moisture in wood, time and rate of
heating, etc. (Typically, white pine auto ignition would be at about 390 – 500 degrees F.)
Special Fire Fighting Procedures & Equipment: None
Unusual Explosion and Fire Hazards: Wood dust is a strong to severe explosion hazard
if a dust cloud contacts an ignition source. Partially burned dust is especially hazardous
if dispersed in air. 212 degrees F has been suggested as the upper temperature
limit for continuous exposure for wood without risk of ignition. Wood dust may require
a still lower temperature.) For example: white pine flour/dust as a cloud in air requires
0.040 j. min. energy for ignition and can produce an explosion pressure of 113 psig max.

SECTION V - REACTIVITY DATA

Stability: Stable
Conditions To Avoid: N/A
Incompatibility (Materials To Avoid): Oxidizing agents and drying oils.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal-oxidative degradation of wood produces
irritating and toxic fumes and gases, including CO, aldehydes and organic acids.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will Not Occur
Conditions To Avoid: Wood dust is extremely combustible. Keep in a cool, dry place
away from ignition sources.

SECTION VI - HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Effects Of Overexposure: Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of wood dust in air.
Repeated exposures (even below 5 mg/m3) to certain wood dusts, (see here) can
produce allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Avoid repeated or prolonged contact
with the skin, which can also cause allergic responses. If allergic responses, such as
dermatitis, asthma, or bronchitis develop, it may be necessary to remove the sensitized
worker from further exposure to wood dust (and also to wood-based products like turpentine
and rosin).

Probable Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures:
Ingestion: N/A
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air.
If persistent irritation, severe coughing, breathing difficulties, or rash occur, get medical
advice before returning to work with wood dust.
Eye Contact: Flush with water to remove dust particles from the eye. If irritation persists,
get medical attention.
Skin Contact: If a rash, or persistent irritation or dermatitis occur, get medical advice
before returning to work where wood dust is present. If a splinter enters the skin remove
with tweezers.

SECTION VII - TOXICITY DATA

Oral: Not available.
Dermal: The chronic effects of skin contact with wood dust are not fully known, and
may vary from one wood to another.
Inhalation: Not available.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARG, WTP, ACGIH or OSHA.
Other Pertinent Data: Certain species of woods, see attached list, are known to cause
skin, eye and URT irritation along with allergenic responses and asthma. Exposure
to wood dust has been statistically associated with nasal cancer in British furniture
workers. (CODATA Bulletin, November 1978)

SECTION VIII - SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Personal Protective Equipment: *
Protective Gloves: Recommended to reduce skin contact, except where moving machinery parts expose fingers to hazards.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses.
Respiratory Protection (Specify type): Approved dust respirator, under dusting conditions.
*Protective equipment may be warranted at lower dust exposure levels, depending
on species of wood.
Other Protective Equipment: Recommend the use of clean body-covering work clothing
to reduce exposure of skin to wood dust.
Ventilation:
Local Exhaust: To meet TLV requirements. Due to the explosive potential of wood dust
when suspended in air, precautions should be taken to prevent sparks or other ignition
sources in ventilation equipment. Use of totally enclosed motors is recommended.
Mechanical (General): N/A
Special: N/A
Other: N/A

SECTION IX - SPILL, LEAK, AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES

Steps to Be Taken In Case Material Is Released or Spilled: Sweep up or vacuum
up spills for recovery or disposal, avoiding dusting conditions. Provide good ventilation.
Place recovered wood dust in a covered metal container for prompt disposal.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose in a landfill or incinerate in accordance with local,
state and federal laws.
Clean Water Act Requirements: N/A
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Requirements: N/A

SECTION X - REGULATORY INFORMATION

FDA: Pulp is listed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food packaging materials and in paper and paperboard in contact with food (21 CFR 186.1673).
Methylcellulose (USF) is listed as GRAS when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice (GMP) as long as the methoxy content is not less than 27.5% and not more than 31.5% on a dryweight basis (21 CFR 182.1480).
Cellulose pulp is approved for use as a component of resin-bonded filters used in producing, manufacturing,
processing and preparing food (21 CFR 177.2260(d)(1)).
USDA: USDA self-certification (9 CFR 317.20): is FDA-approved.
CPSC: N/A
TSCA: Not listed on TSCA inventory.
DOT: Proper Shipping Name: Sawdust
Hazard Class: ORM-C
Label Required: None
Identification Number: None
Other Pertinent Information: Sawdust must be kept clean, dry and free from oil.

SECTION XI - SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & COMMENTS

Precautions To Be Taken In Handling and Storing:

• Avoid hot, humid storage or contact with drying oils (spontaneous combustion is
  possible).
• Partially burned or scorched wood dust can be hazardous to store.
• Avoid generation of explosive levels of wood dust in the air.
• Follow good housekeeping practices; clean up areas where wood dust settles to avoid excessive accumulation of this combustible material.
• Follow good hygienic practices. Wash frequently; wear clean work clothing.
  

Other Precautions: N/A
Registrations/Certifications: N/A
Effective Date: 9/01/93
Supercedes:

IMPORTANT: The information and data 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. Buyer assumes all risk of use, storage and handling of the product in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulation. Value Wood Flooring. MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION AND DATA HEREIN. Value Wood Flooring 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.