Dust Almanac

African mahogany

Khaya spp. · Meliaceae · hardwood

Also known as: khaya, acajou d'Afrique, Khaya ivorensis, Khaya anthotheca, Khaya grandifoliola, Khaya senegalensis

Region: Tropical West, Central and East Africa

Planed board of African mahogany with light pinkish-brown heartwood and a soft ribbon stripe from interlocked grain.

African mahogany is the trade name for several Khaya species, mainly K. ivorensis, K. anthotheca, K. grandifoliola and K. senegalensis. It is a pinkish to reddish-brown hardwood used as a lower-cost alternative to genuine mahogany for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, joinery and boat work.

Health hazards

  • Skin allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    Furniture workers in two UK factories developed allergic skin rashes traced by patch testing to the dust of Khaya anthotheca. Affected workers reacted strongly to anthothecol, a natural compound in the wood.1

    Effects
    allergic contact dermatitis
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Asthma / respiratory allergy

    Evidence: Reported

    Occupational asthma from Khaya anthotheca is listed in a peer-reviewed review of wood dust allergy, based on a German workplace study we have not yet been able to check directly.2

    Effects
    asthma
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Applies to all wood dust

    IARC classifies all wood dust as carcinogenic to humans, mainly linked to cancers of the nasal cavity and sinuses after long-term exposure.3

    Effects
    nasal and sinus cancer
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

Not finding a hazard listed here does not mean this wood is safe. All wood dust is hazardous; see how to protect yourself.

Exposure limits

Workplace exposure limits (8-hour average, mg/m³)
BodyLimitNotes
ACGIH TLV1 mg/m³ (inhalable) source
EU binding limit (hardwood)2 mg/m³Applies to all hardwood dust
UK WEL (hardwood)3 mg/m³Applies to all hardwood dust
NIOSH REL1 mg/m³Recommended limit for all wood dust

Compare limits across agencies.

Known compounds

  • anthothecol: contact allergen identified by patch testing in sensitized workers (K. anthotheca) source

Khaya is in the same family (Meliaceae) as genuine mahogany (Swietenia) and sapele (Entandrophragma). Evidence from K. anthotheca may not apply equally to every Khaya species.

Sources

  1. Morgan JW, Orsler RJ, Wilkinson DS. Dermatitis due to the wood dusts of Khaya anthotheca and Machaerium scleroxylon. Br J Ind Med. 1968;25(2):119-125. Link
  2. Schlünssen V, Sigsgaard T, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Kespohl S. Workplace exposure to wood dust and the prevalence of wood-specific sensitization. Allergol Select. 2018;2(1):101-110. Link
  3. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Wood Dust and Formaldehyde. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol. 62. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 1995. Link
  4. US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Chemical Database: Wood Dust. Last updated 06/23/2023. Link

Last reviewed .