MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, furniture is generally considered safe; however there are several things you should be aware of. MDF is made from wood fibers that are glued under heat and pressure. It can be found in cabinets, wallboard, and speakers. You can purchase it yourself and this is where some of the real dangers arise.

The major concern when dealing with MDF is in the resin used to bind the fibers. Urea formaldehyde is the primary binder used when manufacturing MDF. Formaldehyde will leak from the surface for the life of the board if it’s not properly sealed. Some MDF will use even stronger glues like phenol formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde inhalation can cause irritation of the lungs, eyes, skin, nose, and mucous membranes. Asthma, dermatitis, and rhinitis have all been linked to formaldehyde exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has found sufficient evidence linking formaldehyde with some types of cancers. As of 2006 more research needed to be done and the IARC maintained their classification of formaldehyde as a Group 2A carcinogen or simply put, “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

Most of these dangers are associated with the dust from cutting and working with MDF. Since MDF for personal use has been around only since the early 80’s, it’s a relatively new product. It’s vital to follow some basic safety precautions. It’s important that all the dust is vacuumed up or removed. Never work with MDF without a face mask and goggles. The dust is very fine and can find its way into crevices which can cause problems after the project is finished.

The finished project will leak formaldehyde, so sealing is vital to the long term safety of the project. Wood sealants and finishing oils will work but are not as effective in sealing the surface. Painting is a good choice for sealing MDF projects. It’s also important that the nails or screws are used with caution so that the wood is not split, causing leakage. The large amount of glue used in MDF will blunt tools quickly so be sure to sharpen tools between projects.

MDF is a good choice for a wide range of projects. It doesn’t warp like wood planks can but offers the flexibility of using traditional woodwork joints. Used correctly, it has the potential to be a safe material.