Dust Almanac

Beech

Fagus sylvatica · Fagaceae · hardwood

Also known as: European beech, common beech

Region: Europe; the related American beech (Fagus grandifolia) grows in eastern North America

Planed board of European beech with even pale pinkish-tan color and fine scattered ray flecks.

European beech is a pale, hard, close-grained hardwood used for furniture, chairs, workbenches, tool handles, turnery and veneer. It steams and bends well, and is often sold steamed to a pinkish tone. American beech is a close relative used in similar ways.

Health hazards

  • Asthma / respiratory allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    Workers with nasal allergy to European beech dust have been confirmed by specific provocation testing and case reports. In Danish furniture workers about 3% had IgE antibodies to beech, though this was mostly not linked to symptoms.1234

    Effects
    rhinitis, allergic sensitization
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Respiratory irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    UK HSE lists reduced lung function for beech. A French study of beech and oak furniture workers found more sore throat and twitchy airways as dust levels rose.56

    Effects
    decreased lung function, sore throat, bronchial hyperresponsiveness
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Skin irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    UK HSE lists dermatitis among the reported effects of beech. The mechanism (irritant or allergic) is not specified.5

    Effects
    dermatitis
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Eye irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    UK HSE lists eye irritation for beech and notes that lichens growing on the bark may be responsible.5

    Effects
    eye irritation
    Exposure route
    eyes
    From
    dust, bark

  • 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.7

    Effects
    nasal and sinus cancer
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    ACGIH names beech dust specifically as a confirmed human carcinogen (A1), the same class it gives oak.8

    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

Clinical evidence here comes from European beech (Fagus sylvatica). No species-specific reports for American beech (Fagus grandifolia) were found; ACGIH's A1 listing says only 'beech'. Treat American beech dust with the same precautions. One study found no cross-reactivity between beech wood and beech pollen (Kespohl-2010).

Sources

  1. De Zotti R, Gubian F. Asthma and rhinitis in wood workers. Allergy Asthma Proc. 1996;17(4):199-203. Link
  2. Hernandez M, Sánchez-Hernandez MC, Moreno V, Guardia P, Delgado J, Marañón F, Fernandez-Caldas E, Conde J. Occupational rhinitis caused by beech wood dust. Allergy. 1999;54(4):405-406. Link
  3. Schlünssen V, Kespohl S, Jacobsen G, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Schaumburg I, Sigsgaard T. Immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization to pine and beech dust in relation to wood dust exposure levels and respiratory symptoms in the furniture industry. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2011;37(2):159-167. Link
  4. Kespohl S, Schlünssen V, Jacobsen G, Schaumburg I, Maryska S, Meurer U, Brüning T, Sigsgaard T, Raulf-Heimsoth M. Impact of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants on wood dust sensitization. Clin Exp Allergy. 2010;40(7):1099-1106. Link
  5. 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
  6. Bohadana AB, Massin N, Wild P, Toamain JP, Engel S, Goutet P. Symptoms, airway responsiveness, and exposure to dust in beech and oak wood workers. Occup Environ Med. 2000;57(4):268-73. Link
  7. 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
  8. US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Chemical Database: Wood Dust. Last updated 06/23/2023. Link

Last reviewed .