MDF Board and Asbestos Cancer

[Gidyea]

I have been told that the dust from MDF board can cause a similar cancer to that asbestos cancer. Can someone tell me whether that is a myth or true fact as I don't really want to suffer the fate of my brother yet I can see some valued uses for MDF board.
cheerz

[soundman]

Yeh.... I supose the possible illnesses are similar in that they effct the lungs, but there are no comparison between asbestos and any form of wood dist.

Asbestos is a very nasty product.
The problem is that asbestos particles are long thin and very sharp, they are also in a particular size range, they penetrate the bodies filtration system and get ledged deep in the lings like little spears. the body can not disolve the material or otherwise get it out.

With asbestos you can be fine for decades before the asbestosis or mesothelioma comes for you.

On the other hand all wood dust should be viewed as immediatedly hazardous and possibly carcenogenic.

There wa s great deal said about MDF some time ago due to its fine dust and incorpirated resins.......more recently many have come out saying that there is very little to prove that MDF is any worse than other wood dust.
Many timbers and timber products contain fine, sharp and hard particles and many natural timbers contain resins and chemicals that may be harfull in both the short and long term.

Remember all wood dust should be considered immediately harmfull and potentialy carcenogenic.

cheers