Dust Almanac

Cedar of Lebanon

Cedrus libani · Pinaceae · softwood

Also known as: Lebanon cedar, Lebanese cedar, true cedar

Region: Mountains of Lebanon, Syria and Turkey; planted in parks and estates in Europe

Planed board of cedar of Lebanon with light brown heartwood, distinct growth rings and a small tight knot.

Cedar of Lebanon is a true cedar with fragrant, light brown, fairly soft wood. In the UK it is mostly available from felled park and estate trees and is used for joinery, garden furniture, gates and turning.

Health hazards

  • Respiratory irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    The UK HSE lists cedar of Lebanon as a cause of breathing problems and rhinitis. A 1972 case report described respiratory symptoms after only brief exposure to its dust; a later review classes this as a non-allergic (not IgE-driven) reaction.12

    Effects
    respiratory symptoms, rhinitis
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Applies to all wood dust

    All wood dust is classified as carcinogenic to humans, mainly linked to cancers of the nose and sinuses. This applies to this wood like every other species.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
UK WEL (softwood)5 mg/m³Applies to all softwood dust
NIOSH REL1 mg/m³Recommended limit for all wood dust

Compare limits across agencies.

Cancer classifications

Not related to western red cedar or eastern white cedar (Thuja), which have their own entries and different evidence.

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 Withdrawn from hse.gov.uk (404 since c. Jan 2020); archived copy cited.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. Greenberg M. Respiratory symptoms following brief exposure to Cedar of Lebanon (Cedra libani) dust. Clin Allergy. 1972;2(3):219-224. 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 .