Material Safety Data Sheet
Plywood
Weyerhaeuser Company Emergency Phone: (253) 924-5000
PO Box 9777 Additional Information: (253) 924-3865
Federal Way, WA 98063-9777 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/environment/msds/default.asp Revised Date: November 14, 2005
1. Product Identification
Product Manufacturing Location(s)
Plywood USA: Chester, SC; Dodson, LA; Emerson, AR; Foster,
OR; Moncure, NC; Mountain Pine, AR; Springfield, OR;
Pine Hill, AL; Wright City, OK; Zwolle, LA;
Canada: Hudson Bay, SK
Synonyms: Plywood
2. Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information
Name CAS# Percent Agency Exposure Limits Comments
PEL-TWA 15 mg/m3
Wood None 84-99 OSHA Total dust
PEL-TWA 5 mg/m3
OSHA Respirable dust fraction
TLV-TWA 0.5 mg/m3
ACGIH Inhalable, Western red
TLV-TWA 1 mg/m3
ACGIH cedar
PEL-TWA 5 mg/m3
Recommended A Inhalable, All other species
Softwood or hardwood total
PEL-STEL 10 mg/m3
Recommended A dust
Softwood or hardwood total
PEL-TWA 2.5 mg/m3
Recommended A dust
Western red cedar total dust
Phenol None 1-15 OSHA PEL-TWA 0.75 ppm Free gaseous formaldehyde
formaldehyde OSHA PEL-STEL 2 ppm Free gaseous formaldehyde
resin solids B, C ACGIH TLV-Ceiling 0.3 ppm Free gaseous formaldehyde
A
Weyerhaeuser recommended exposure limits based on 1989 OSHA PELs. In 1992, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Court overturned OSHA鈥檚 1989 Air Contaminants Rule, which included specific PELs for wood dust established by OSHA at that time.
Wood dust is now officially regulated as an organic dust in a category known as 鈥淧articulates Not Otherwise Regulated鈥? (PNOR), or
Nuisance Dust. However, a number of states have incorporated the OSHA PELs from the 1989 standard in their state plans. Additionally,
OSHA has announced that it may cite companies under the OSH Act general duty clause under appropriate circumstances for
noncompliance with the 1989 PELs.
B
The VOC content of adhesives and sealants used are equal or less than the current VOC content limits of South Coast Air Quality
Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168, AND all sealants used as fillers meet or exceed the requirements of the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District Regulation 8, Rule 51.
C
These products contain less than 0.05 ppm free formaldehyde and contain no urea-formaldehyde resins.
3. Hazard Identification
Appearance and Odor: Plywood is a 3 to 9 ply-veneer product with a slightly aromatic resinous odor and
natural wood color. The wood component of these products may consist of alder, aspen, beech, birch,
cottonwood, fir, gum, hemlock, hickory, maple, oak, pecan, pine, poplar, spruce, walnut, and/or western
red cedar.
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3. Hazard Identification (cont鈥檇.)
Primary Health Hazards: The primary health hazard posed by this product is thought to be due to exposure
to wood dust.
Primary Route(s) of Exposure:
Ingestion:
鈱? Skin: Dust
鈱? Inhalation: Dust
鈱? Eye: Dust
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Wood dust may aggravate pre-existing
respiratory conditions or allergies.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure:
Acute Health Hazards: Wood dust can cause eye irritation. Certain species of wood dust can elicit allergic
contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. Wood dust may cause respiratory irritation, nasal dryness,
coughing, sneezing and wheezing as a result of inhalation. Formaldehyde may cause temporary irritation
of skin, eyes, or respiratory system. Formaldehyde may cause sensitization in susceptible individuals.
However, the potential is negligible for formaldehyde to off-gas from products made with phenol-
formaldehyde resin.
Chronic Health Hazards: Wood dust, depending on the species, may cause allergic contact dermatitis and
respiratory sensitization with prolonged, repetitive contact or exposure to elevated dust levels. Prolonged
exposure to wood dust has been reported by some observers to be associated with nasal cancer.
Formaldehyde is classified by OSHA and NTP as a probable or potential carcinogen. IARC has classified
formaldehyde as carcinogenic to humans.
Carcinogenicity Listing:
鈱? NTP: Wood dust, Known Human Carcinogen. Formaldehyde, Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human
Carcinogen.
鈱? IARC Monographs: Wood dust, Group 1 鈭? Carcinogenic to humans. Formaldehyde, Group 1 鈭?
Carcinogenic to humans.
鈱? OSHA Regulated: Formaldehyde Gas
NTP: According to its Tenth Report on Carcinogens, NTP states, 鈥淲ood dust is known to be a human
carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans. An association
between wood dust exposure and cancer of the nose has been observed in many case reports, cohort
studies, and case-control studies that specifically addressed nasal cancer. Strong and consistent
associations with cancer of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses were observed both in studies of
people whose occupations are associated with wood dust exposure and in studies that directly estimated
wood dust exposure.鈥?
IARC 鈥? Group 1: (Wood dust) Carcinogenic to humans; sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity. This
classification is primarily based on studies showing an association between occupational exposure to
wood dust and adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. IARC did not find sufficient
evidence of an association between occupational exposure to wood dust and cancers of the oropharynx,
hypopharynx, lung, lymphatic and hematopoietic systems, stomach, colon or rectum.
IARC 鈥? Group 1: (Formaldehyde) Carcinogenic to Humans. A working group of IARC has determined that
there is sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans, a rare cancer in
developed countries. However, numerous epidemiological studies have failed to demonstrate a
relationship between formaldehyde exposure and nasal cancer or pulmonary diseases such as
emphysema or lung cancer. Universities Associated for Research and Education in Pathology Inc.
(UAREP) concluded that there was no 鈥渃onvincing evidence鈥? that formaldehyde exposure causes cancer
in humans. Rats exposed to 14 ppm of formaldehyde for 24 months in the laboratory developed nasal
cancer. Exposure of 6 ppm did not result in statistically significant levels. The NCI epidemiology study of
26,000 workers found little evidence linking formaldehyde exposure to cancer.
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4. Emergency and First-Aid Procedures
Ingestion: Not applicable under normal use.
Eye Contact: Wood dust may cause mechanical irritation. Treat dust in eye as foreign object. Flush with
water to remove dust particle. Seek medical help if irritation persists.
Skin Contact: Wood dust of certain species can elicit allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals, as
well as mechanical irritation resulting in erythema and hives. Seek medical help if rash, irritation or
dermatitis persists.
Skin Absorption: Not known to occur under normal use.
Inhalation: Wood dust may cause unpleasant obstruction in the nasal passages, resulting in dryness of nose,
dry cough, sneezing and headaches. Remove to fresh air. Seek medical help if persistent irritation,
severe coughing or breathing difficulty occurs.
5. Fire and Explosion Data
Flash Point (Method Used): NAP
See below under 鈥淯nusual Fire and UFL = NAP
Flammable Limits: LFL =
Explosion Hazards鈥?
Extinguishing Media: Water, carbon dioxide, sand
Autoignition Temperature: Variable [typically 400掳-500掳F (204掳-260掳C)]
Special Firefighting Procedures: None
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Depending on moisture content, and more importantly, particle
diameter, wood dust may explode in the presence of an ignition source. An airborne concentration of 40
grams (40,000 mg) of dust per cubic meter of air is often used as the LEL for wood dusts.
Health = 1 Fire = 1 Reactivity = 0
NFPA Rating (Scale 0-4):
6. Accidental Release Measures
Steps to be Taken In Case Material Is Released or Spilled: Not applicable for product in purchased form.
Wood dust generated from sawing, sanding, drilling, or routing of this product may be vacuumed or
shoveled for recovery or disposal. Avoid dusty conditions and provide good ventilation. Use NIOSH-
approved dust respirator and goggles where ventilation is not possible and the allowable exposure limits
may be exceeded.
7. Handling and Storage
Precautions to be Taken In Handling and Storage: No special handling precautions are required for
products in purchased form. Avoid repeated or prolonged breathing of wood dust. These products may
release very small quantities of formaldehyde in gaseous form. Under foreseeable conditions of use,
these products release less than 0.050 ppm in standard large chamber test conditions. Store in well-
ventilated, cool, dry place away from open flame.
8. Exposure Control Measures, Personal Protection
Personal Protective Equipment:
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION 鈭? Not applicable for product in purchased form. A NIOSH-approved dust
respirator is recommended when allowable exposure limits may be exceeded.
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8. Exposure Control Measures, Personal Protection (cont鈥檇.)
PROTECTIVE GLOVES 鈭? Not required. However, cloth, canvas, or leather gloves are recommended to
minimize potential slivers or mechanical irritation from handling product.
EYE PROTECTION 鈭? Not applicable for product in purchased form. Goggles or safety glasses are
recommended when machining this product.
OTHER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT 鈭? Not applicable for product in purchased form. Outer
garments may be desirable in extremely dusty areas.
WORK/HYGIENE PRACTICES 鈭? Follow good hygienic and housekeeping practices. Clean up areas where
wood dust settles to avoid excessive accumulation of this combustible material. Minimize blowdown or
other practices that generate high airborne-dust concentrations.
Ventilation:
LOCAL EXHAUST 鈭? Provide local exhaust as needed so that exposure limits are met.
MECHANICAL (GENERAL) 鈭? Provide general ventilation in processing and storage areas so that exposure
limits are met.
SPECIAL 鈭? None
9. Physical/Chemical Properties
Physical Description: Plywood is a 3 to 9 ply-veneer product with a slightly aromatic resinous odor and
natural wood color. The wood component of these products may consist of alder, aspen, beech, birch,
cottonwood, fir, gum, hemlock, hickory, maple, oak, pecan, pine, poplar, spruce, walnut, and/or western
red cedar.
NAP
Boiling Point (@ 760 mm Hg):
NAP
Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate = 1):
NAP
Freezing Point:
NAP
Melting Point:
NAP
Molecular Formula:
NAP
Molecular Weight:
NAP
Oil-water Distribution Coefficient:
NAP
Odor Threshold:
NAP
pH:
<0.1%
Solubility in Water (% by weight):
Variable; depends on wood species and moisture
Specific Gravity (H2O = 1):
NAP
Vapor Density (air = 1; 1 atm):
NAP
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
NAP
Viscosity:
% Volatile by Volume [@ 70oF (21oC)]: 0
10. Stability and Reactivity
鈱? Stable
Stability: Unstable
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid open flame. Product may ignite at temperatures in excess of 400掳F (204掳C).
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Avoid contact with oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition or By-Products: Thermal decomposition products include carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide, aliphatic aldehydes, resin acids, terpenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
鈱? Will not occur
Hazardous Polymerization: May occur
Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact: NAP
Sensitivity to Static Discharge: NAP
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11. Toxicological Information
Toxicity Data: None available for product in purchased form.
Components: Individual component information is listed below if available.
Wood dust (softwood or hardwood)
OSHA Hazard Rating = 3.3; moderately toxic with probable oral lethal dose to humans being 0.5-5 g/kg (about
1 pound for a 70 kg or 150 pound person). Source: OSHA Regulated Hazardous Substances,
Government Institutes, Inc., February 1990.
Wood dust 鈥? generated from sawing, sanding or machining the product 鈥? may cause nasal dryness, irritation,
coughing and sinusitis. NTP and IARC classify wood dust as a human carcinogen (IARC Group 1). This
classification is based primarily on increased risk in the occurrence of adenocarcinomas of the nasal
cavities and paranasal sinuses associated with exposure to wood dust. The evaluation did not find
sufficient evidence to associate cancers of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, lung, lymphatic and
hematopoietic systems, stomach, colon or rectum with exposure to wood dust.
Formaldehyde
OSHA Hazard Rating = 3 for local and systemic acute and chronic exposures; highly toxic. Irritation studies:
human skin, 150 ug/3 days, intermittent exposure produced mild results; human eye, 1 ppm/6 minutes
produced mild results. Toxicity studies: human inhalation TCLo of 8 ppm reported, but response not
specified; human inhalation TCLo of 17 mg/m3 for 30 minutes produced eye and pulmonary results; human
inhalation TCLo of 300 ug/m3 produced nose and central nervous system results; LC50 (rat, inhalation) =
1,000 mg/m3, 30 minutes; LC50 (mice, inhalation) = 400 mg/m3, 2 hours. Source: OSHA Regulated
Hazardous Substances, Government Institutes, Inc., February 1990; Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical
Substances (RTECS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (provided by Canadian Centre
for Occupational Health and Safety, CCINFO May 1995).
Exposure to gaseous formaldehyde may cause temporary irritation to the nose and throat as well as lead to
respiratory disorders. However, in a thorough review of sensory/respiratory irritation studies of
formaldehyde from the standpoint of occupational exposure, an expert panel has observed exposure up to
concentrations of 0.3 ppm failed to produce irritation. With regard to respiratory disorders, studies have
concluded the threshold for long-term chronic pulmonary effects is between 0.4 and 3 ppm and for chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease is 2 ppm. Pre-existing respiratory disorders may be aggravated by
exposure.
Epidemiology studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have failed to consistently identify an association
between formaldehyde exposure and cancer. In animal studies, rats and mice exposed to high levels of
formaldehyde developed nasal cancer while hamsters did not. These exposure levels are far above those
levels normally found in the workplace. Formaldehyde is classified by IARC as carcinogenic to humans
(Group 1). A working group of IARC has determined that there is sufficient evidence that formaldehyde
causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans, a rare cancer in developed countries. NTP included
formaldehyde in the annual report on carcinogens. OSHA regulates formaldehyde as a potential
carcinogen for exposures exceeding 0.5 ppm.
Target Organs: None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate: No information available at this time.
Environmental Toxicity: No information available at this time.
13. Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal Method: If disposed of or discarded in its purchased form, incineration is preferable. Dry
land disposal is acceptable in most states. It is, however, the user鈥檚 responsibility to determine at the time
of disposal whether your product meets RCRA criteria for hazardous waste. Follow applicable federal,
state, and local regulations.
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14. Transport Information
Mode: (Air, Land, Water) Not regulated as a hazardous material by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Not listed as a hazardous material in Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG).
NAP
Proper Shipping Name:
NAP
Hazard Class:
NAP
UN/NA ID Number:
NAP
Packing Group:
NAP
Information Reported for Product/Size:
15. Regulatory Information
TSCA: The following ingredient is on the TSCA chemical substance inventory:
Formaldehyde, CAS# 50-00-0
CERCLA: NAP
DSL: The following ingredient is listed under the Canadian Domestic Substance List:
Formaldehyde, CAS# 50-00-0
OSHA: Wood products are not hazardous under the criteria of the federal OSHA Hazard Communication
Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. However, wood dust generated by sawing, sanding or machining this
product may be hazardous. Workplace exposure to formaldehyde is specifically regulated under 29 CFR,
1910.1048.
STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW:
California 鈥? California鈥檚 Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Initiative Measure,
Proposition 65): Title 22 California Code of Regulations requires that a clear and reasonable warning be
given before exposure to chemicals listed by the State as causing cancer or reproductive toxicity.
Formaldehyde is on California鈥檚 list of chemicals known to the State to cause cancer. Weyerhaeuser has
evaluated formaldehyde emission rates from its products and have found these rates to be below the
significant risk level that would require product warnings.
New Jersey 鈥? This product contains formaldehyde, a substance which appears on New Jersey鈥檚
Environmental Hazardous Substance List.
Pennsylvania 鈥? This product contains formaldehyde and wood dust, substances which appear on
Pennsylvania鈥檚 Appendix A 鈥? Hazardous Substance Lists.
SARA 313 Information: To the best of our knowledge, this product contains formaldehyde at a concentration
that subjects the chemical to SARA Title III Section 313 supplier notification requirements.
SARA 311/312 Hazard Category: This product has been reviewed according to the EPA "Hazard
Categories" promulgated under SARA Title III Sections 311 and 312 and is considered, under applicable
definitions, to meet the following categories:
An immediate (acute) health hazard Yes
A delayed (chronic) health hazard Yes
A fire hazard No
A reactivity hazard No
A sudden release hazard No
FDA: NAP
WHMIS Classification: Not a controlled product
16. Additional Information
Date Prepared: 7/27/89
Date Revised: 11/14/2005
Prepared By: Weyerhaeuser Company, Corporate Environment, Health & Safety
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16. Additional Information (cont鈥檇.)
Weyerhaeuser MSDS available on: http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/environment/msds/default.asp
User鈥檚 Responsibility: The information contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet is based on the
experience of occupational health and safety professionals and comes from sources believed to be
accurate or otherwise technically correct. It is the user鈥檚 responsibility to determine if the product is
suitable for its proposed application(s) and to follow necessary safety precautions. The user has the
responsibility to make sure that this MSDS is the most up-to-date issue.
Definition of Common Terms:
ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
C = Ceiling Limit
CAS# = Chemical Abstracts System Number
DOT = U. S. Department of Transportation
DSL = Domestic Substance List
EC50 = Effective concentration that inhibits the endpoint to 50% of control population
EPA = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer
IATA = International Air Transport Association
IMDG = International Maritime Dangerous Goods
LC50 = Concentration in air resulting in death to 50% of experimental animals
LCLo = Lowest concentration in air resulting in death
LD50 = Administered dose resulting in death to 50% of experimental animals
LDLo = Lowest dose resulting in death
LEL = Lower Explosive Limit
LFL = Lower Flammable Limit
MSHA = Mine Safety and Health Administration
NAP = Not Applicable
NAV = Not Available
NIOSH = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NPRI = Canadian National Pollution Release Inventory
NTP = National Toxicology Program
OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PEL = Permissible Exposure Limit
RCRA = Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
STEL = Short-Term Exposure Limit (15 minutes)
STP = Standard Temperature and Pressure
TCLo = Lowest concentration in air resulting in a toxic effect
TDG = Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods
TDLo = Lowest dose resulting in a toxic effect
TLV = Threshold Limit Value
TSCA = Toxic Substance Control Act
TWA = Time-Weighted Average (8 hours)
UFL = Upper Flammable Limit
WHMIS = Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
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