Wood dust is a lung cancer risk

Exposure to wood dust increases workers' risk of developing lung cancer, according to new US research.

Wood dust has already been designated as a human carcinogen based on increased sinus and nasal cancer rates among exposed workers.

Now research carried out at the University of Texas has found that the risk of lung cancer is three times higher for subjects involved in wood dust-related occupations and industries.

For all categories of wood dust exposure, researchers found a 60% increased risk compared with no exposure. Previous studies on an association between wood dust and lung cancer have been inconclusive.

George L Delclos and others, "Wood dust exposure is a potential risk factor for lung cancer", American Journal of Industrial Medicine, volume 47, pages 349-357, 2005.