Dust Almanac

Alder

Alnus spp. · Betulaceae · hardwood

Also known as: red alder, black alder, European alder, common alder

Region: Europe, western North America and Asia

Planed board of red alder with even light reddish-tan color and fine, faint grain.

Alder is a soft, light, even-textured hardwood. Red alder from the Pacific Northwest is widely used for cabinets, furniture and millwork, and European alder for turnery, carving, toys and brush handles.

Health hazards

  • Respiratory irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    UK HSE lists rhinitis and bronchial effects for alder dust. Whether these are allergic or irritant is not stated.1

    Effects
    rhinitis, bronchial effects
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Skin irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    UK HSE lists dermatitis among the reported effects of alder. The mechanism (irritant or allergic) is not specified.1

    Effects
    dermatitis
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Applies to all wood dust

    IARC classifies all wood dust as carcinogenic to humans, mainly linked to cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses after long, heavy exposure. This applies to this wood like any other.2

    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)8-hour TWA; ACGIH value as restated by OSHA. 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.

Cancer classifications

HSE lists 'alder' without a species. Alder pollen allergy is common and separate from wood dust exposure.

Sources

  1. Health and Safety Executive. Toxic woods. Woodworking Information Sheet No 30 (Revision 1), WIS30(rev1). HSE; first published 11/2012. Withdrawn from hse.gov.uk (404 since c. Jan 2020); archived copy cited. Link
  2. 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
  3. US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Chemical Database: Wood Dust. Last updated 06/23/2023. Link

Last reviewed .