Background and Purpose: Inhalation of hardwood dust may produce a range of adverse health

effects in the upper and lower respiratory system, including asthma, along with Sino-nasal cancer

and nasopharyngeal cancer. This study was carried out to evaluate personal exposure to wood

dust among workers in chipboard and furniture production saloons in Neka Choob factory, Iran.

Materials and Methods: Gravimetric method No. 0500 recommended by National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health was used to determine the wood dust concentrations in the

workers’ breathing zone. The sampling air was drawn through a polyvinyl chloride filter within

the breathing zone, using a calibrated personal sampling pump.

Results: The mean workers’ personal exposure to wood dust in furniture production saloon

(2.87 ± 1.95 mgm-3) was higher than mean exposure of workers whom were working in

chipboard saloon (0.93 ± 0.35 mgm-3). The mean workers’ exposure to wood dust for both

saloons was 1.70 ± 1.53 mgm-3.

Conclusion: The mean workers’ personal exposure to wood dust in Neka Choob factory was

higher than Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) recommended by national (Iranian Committee

for Review and Collection of OEL) and European ::union:: Scientific Committee on OEL

committees. All workers in furniture production saloon and three workers in chipboard saloon

have a mean exposure higher than OEL.