Dust Almanac

Imbuia

Ocotea porosa · Lauraceae · hardwood

Also known as: imbuya, Brazilian walnut

Region: Southern Brazil

Planed board of imbuia with olive to chocolate-brown heartwood, variegated streaks, and patches of curly figure.

Imbuia is a medium-density Brazilian hardwood with olive to dark brown, often figured heartwood and a spicy scent when worked. It is prized for fine furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and turned objects.

Health hazards

  • Asthma / respiratory allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    Occupational asthma caused by imbuia dust was described in a South African worker. A NIOSH-funded review lists imbuia among woods with a positive specific challenge test.12

    Effects
    asthma
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Applies to all wood dust

    All wood dust, including imbuia, is classified by IARC as carcinogenic to humans, mainly linked to cancers of the nose 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.

Cancer classifications

Sources

  1. Jeebhay MF, Prescott R, Potter PC, Ehrlich RI. Occupational asthma caused by imbuia wood dust [case report]. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97(4):1025-1027. Link
  2. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Occupational Asthma and Wood Dust. Project S.E.N.S.O.R. News. 2017 May;28(3):1-4. 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 .