The Pacifist Womble
22-12-2006, 00:59
Is MDF (medium density fibreboard) actually banned in the USA?
Sumamba Buwhan
22-12-2006, 01:06
I dont know... what is it? Where did you hear that? Why would it matter?
Infinite Revolution
22-12-2006, 01:15
I dont know... what is it? Where did you hear that? Why would it matter?
maybe some trading standards type got it mixed up with asbestos. well they both have fibres and have a non-descript colour and... and... yeh well... whatever.
Gun Manufacturers
22-12-2006, 01:31
Is MDF (medium density fibreboard) actually banned in the USA?
I don't believe so. IIRC, most car audio boxes are built with MDF. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw some at Home Depot last time I was there.
Daistallia 2104
22-12-2006, 02:27
Is MDF (medium density fibreboard) actually banned in the USA?
Nope.
Rumours that medium density fibre board (MDF) is banned in the USA are untrue. Emissions of formaldehyde from board products are, however, regulated in the USA and Germany, and are expected to be regulated throughout the European Community (EC) in the future.
http://www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/factsht/46fact.htm
HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES BANNED THE USE OF MDF?
Rumours that MDF is banned in America and/or Australia are unfounded.
However the US limits formaldehyde emissions from MDF to 0.3ppm (parts per
million), and home owners in California were warned that their new home had
been built using MDF: which "contains a chemical known to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive hazards". Australia has a tighter
exposure standard than Britain and warns its workers that formaldehyde is
'a probable carcinogen' and a sensitiser (i.e. it can cause allergic
reaction such as asthma).
In Germany the exposure limit is 0.lppm, and Norway and Hungary both have
lower exposure limits than Britain and list formaldehyde as an allergen and
probable carcinogen.
In the UK, the Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic
Substances is now being asked to review the hazards of working with MDF.
http://www.childrensfurniture.co.uk/mdf.html
I dont know...
I didn't either, until I started looking for an answer.
what is it?
It's a type of man-made building material. Basically it's like plywood, but made up of sawdust glued together instead of veneer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard
http://sres-associated.anu.edu.au/fpt/mdf/toc.html
Where did you hear that?
Appears it's a story (urban legend?) going around. From what I can tell, it may originated with or have been made well known on a British TV program.
Why would it matter?
It appears to be a useful and versitile material. However, there seem to be health concerns (legitimate or otherwise) about it's usage, as outlined in one of the links quoted above.
maybe some trading standards type got it mixed up with asbestos. well they both have fibres and have a non-descript colour and... and... yeh well... whatever.
Or maybe some Brit believed what they saw on a comedy program on TV was real.