MDF Safe for cutting?

[Joel Matteson]

A simple question I know ... And I've read the MSDS so I think we are good to go. I figured I'd ask you experts just to make sure! We are going to have to do a significant amount of cutting of 1/4" MDF. Any hazards we need to be aware of to us or the machine?

Thanks!
JM

[Steve Kelsey]

Lots of dust created but no other hazards that I have experienced. Make sure to clean the laser regularly.

[Dee Gallo]

Ditto what Steve said. I use it regularly for jigs to hold multiple items to be used over and over again. Great stuff!

[Joel Matteson]

Lots of dust created but no other hazards that I have experienced. Make sure to clean the laser regularly.

Thanks for the response. We cut some yesterday and had the air assist blasting on high ... but it seemed to handle it well. I'll make sure to keep things clean.

[Jin Lin]

You will want to work with mdf that has low or no formaldehyde.

"The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified formaldehyde from "probably carcinogenic to humans" to "carcinogenic to humans" in 2004, based on the increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer."
http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/compwood.htm
http://www.medite-europe.com/carb2/questions.html
http://www.props.eric-hart.com/safet...t-bad-for-you/

I noticed the mdf boards at Homedepot have tags on them with CARB Phase 1 or Phase 2 on it.