Ucatt 'scaremongering' over campaign on MDF

Sir,

You report (CJ 18 June) that the Ucatt union may be planning to target DIY stores with a leaflet campaign "to inform the public about the dangers of what is one of the country's most widely used DIY and furniture materials".

We have offered, on behalf of the Medium Density Fibreboard industry, to co-operate with Ucatt in any sensible activity that would supplement our own health and safety guidelines, of which the DIY store companies are well aware, on the control of and protection against wood dust within the COSHH regulations. However we deplore the wholly irresponsible repetition of un- founded allegations against this product, which is entirely safe when used with common-sense precautions against regular inhalation of dust.

It is quite wrong to suggest that the typical DIY user of MDF has anything to fear from cutting the material, and anyone who suggests otherwise is blatantly scaremongering with nothing but emotive falsehoods to lean on.

In respect of DIY users, the Medical Research Council has already expressed the preliminary opinion that they "do not consider occasional DIY activities involving MDF to pose a particular risk" (Hansard 17 November 1997). We understand that trade unions feel the need to create something of a stir at their conferences, but they should look for more substantiated issues than this.

Intensive users on building sites, in craft workshops, schools and so on who are active in cutting wood or wood-based material in any of its wonderful forms, including MDF, should ensure control of their dust-generating operations. They are welcome to ask us for a copy of our practical leaflet Working safety with wood and wood-based materials.

David G Duke-Evans

Director general

Wood Panel Industries

Federation