Occupational exposure to chemical agents in the particleboard industry

Scand J Work Environ Health. 1985 Oct;11(5):357-63. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2212.

Abstract

Most of the measurements concerned formaldehyde and wood dust. The other substances measured included terpenes, solvents, and heptachlor. Before 1975 the formaldehyde concentration regularly exceeded 2 ppm during many workphases. Considerable improvements in ventilation and the composition of glues have occurred since then, and today the exposure level is below 2 ppm during most workphases. High peak concentrations, 20-30 ppm at the highest, were characteristic of exposure in earlier years. The concentrations of wood dust have also decreased, eg, from over 5 mg/m3 to 1 mg/m3 or below during forming. These data have been used to evaluate past exposures in an epidemiologic study on cancer risks in the particleboard, plywood, and sawmill industries.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Dust / analysis
  • Finland
  • Formaldehyde / analysis
  • Wood*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Dust
  • Formaldehyde