Wood dust exposure and health effects

Wood dust exposure is rarely a problem. Until it is.

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The cost of wood dust exposure is measured in health – not just downtime.

Respiratory damage doesn’t start with a cough. Even low-level, long-term exposure to wood dust can cause serious, often irreversible health problems. Wood dust exposure isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s dangerous. And everyone working in your company may be inhaling sawdust without knowing it.

Did you know?

1 in 10 workers exposed to wood dust develop asthma or chronic bronchitis

Hardwood dust is officially linked to nasal cancer

Many woodworkers experience permanent lung function loss over time

Inhaling sawdust affects more than just your operators.

Most workplaces rely on LEV systems and PPE — and that’s a good start. But here’s the problem:

Invisible, fine wood dust escapes LEV and drifts,
it stays airborne for hours,
and it spreads into walkways where no one wears protection or only poorly.

This is pedestrianism. It's the invisible risk to people away from the tools: designers, admin teams, visitors, and customers.

We measured the air in UK wood workshops. You’ll want to see the results!

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Wood dust exposure

What your eyes and LEV don't catch

See what happens when we reveal what’s really in the air. Inhaling wood dust is a hidden risk – even with extraction running.

Watch now

LEV helps – but it can’t stop wood dust exposure alone.

LEV systems capture dust at the source – but not what drifts, lingers, and spreads. That’s where most setups fall short.

To truly minimise wood dust exposure, LEV needs a partner: an industrial air cleaner. Together, they form a complete clean air solution – protecting your entire space, not just the workbench.

With Zehnder’s clean air as a service, you get:

✔ No capital investment
✔ No installation disruption
✔ No maintenance worries

Clean air, fully managed – and always one step ahead.

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You made it: Your guide awaits

Unlock the essential guide to wood dust exposure.

Get your essential guide to understanding wood dust exposure in modern workshops. Learn how to prevent the worst wood dust health effects before they cause long-term harm.

What’s inside:

The real health effects of inhaling sawdust
The hidden dangers of pedestrian exposure
Audit insights from UK workshops
Practical steps to reduce wood dust exposure
Air data, case studies, and legal comparisons

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During busy production times, the dust used to hang so heavy that you could literally taste what material was being cut. Now the air feels cleaner, and we’ve don’t have the same experience.

Zehnder Group UK LTD
Clean Air Solutions
Concept House, Watchmoor Point
GU153AD Camberley
United Kingdom
T 0800 0430100

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