Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, October 3, 2025

Wood dust has long been recognized as a significant occupational health risk. In 2009, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added wood dust to the list of chemicals known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. Repeated and prolonged exposure to wood dust has been linked to cancers of the nose, throat, and sinuses. Even earlier, in 1995, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified wood dust as a human carcinogen.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), wood dust becomes a health hazard when particles generated by processes like sanding and cutting become airborne. In addition to carcinogenic risks, exposure can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms. While the health effects vary by wood type, western red cedar dust is known to cause occupational asthma.

“Wood dust exposure isn’t just about the particles themselves,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “There are additional risks from mold and other biological contaminants that can grow on wood, as well as chemicals used in wood processing. Moreover, wood dust poses a serious fire and explosion risk under certain conditions due to its combustibility.”

To address these concerns, OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have established permissible and recommended exposure limits for wood dust. Cal/OSHA has also implemented its own regulatory thresholds to protect California workers.

LA Testing supports employers across California with industrial hygiene and environmental testing services to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The company also provides access to air sampling instruments, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other solutions for identifying and controlling exposure to wood dust and other airborne contaminants.

An educational video sponsored by LA Testing that highlights the risks of wood dust exposure is available at: https://youtu.be/8vFkYJhVKZE 

For more information about LA Testing’s services, including environmental and industrial hygiene testing services, sampling supplies, monitoring equipment, and PPE, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, and San Diego.