Floresta e Ambiente (Oct 2017)

Evaluation of Airborne MDF Dust Concentration in Furniture Factories

  • Renilson Luiz Teixeira,
  • José Reinaldo Moreira da Silva,
  • Nilton Cesar Fiedler,
  • José Tarcísio Lima,
  • Paulo Fernando Trugilho,
  • Antônio Carlos Neri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.086514
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 0

Abstract

Read online

ABSTRACT High concentrations of airborne dust are observed during the cutting of medium density fiberboard (MDF) boards. This dust, at first considered just uncomfortable for workers, may be harmful to their health. The objective of this work was to evaluate the concentration of airborne dust during the cutting of medium density fiberboard (MDF). The experiment was developed in the MDF cutting sector of three furniture factories located in the city of Lavras/MG. The results showed that the mean concentrations of total dust suspended in these three furniture factories were above the tolerance limit set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), giving evidence of a serious problem in these companies related to this type of risk agent.

Keywords