Dust Almanac

Spruce

Picea spp. · Pinaceae · softwood

Also known as: Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, white spruce, whitewood, European whitewood, SPF (spruce-pine-fir)

Region: Northern temperate and boreal forests of Europe, Asia and North America

Planed board of spruce with pale creamy-white wood and fine, straight, closely spaced growth rings.

Spruce is a pale, light, straight-grained softwood sold as construction lumber, pallet stock and the 'S' in SPF framing. Norway spruce and Sitka spruce are also prized for guitar and violin soundboards.

Health hazards

  • Asthma / respiratory allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    A small number of workers have developed allergic asthma from spruce dust, confirmed by specific IgE antibodies to spruce and, in one carpenter, by challenge testing. The evidence comes from Norway spruce (Picea abies) and spruce used in Polish and German workshops.12

    Effects
    occupational asthma
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Respiratory irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    The UK HSE lists spruce as a cause of respiratory problems. A Canadian study of sawmill workers handling pine and spruce found lower lung function and more wheeze than in a comparison group.34

    Effects
    respiratory disorders, reduced lung function, wheeze
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Skin allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    Finnish workers exposed to pine or spruce dust developed allergic skin rashes, often on the face, and reacted on patch testing to the sawdust and to rosin (colophony). The reports do not always separate spruce from pine.56

    Effects
    allergic contact dermatitis
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Sun sensitivity (photosensitization)

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    The UK HSE notes that spruce may make skin more sensitive to sunlight. No primary report was found to confirm this.3

    Effects
    possible photosensitization
    Exposure route
    skin
    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.7

    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

Known compounds

  • peroxidase enzymes: Proteins identified as IgE-binding allergens in spruce wood in one carpenter source
  • colophony (rosin) and abietic acid: Resin components that patients with pine/spruce dust dermatitis reacted to on patch testing source

In the documented case, the same patient also had IgE to pine and larch wood, so sensitization may extend across softwoods.

Sources

  1. Wittczak T, Dudek W, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Bochenska-Marciniak M, Nowakowska-Swirta E, Kuna P, Palczynski C. Occupational asthma due to spruce wood. Occup Med (Lond). 2012;62(4):301-304. Link
  2. Kespohl S, Kotschy-Lang N, Tomm JM, von Bergen M, Maryska S, Brüning T, et al. Occupational IgE-mediated softwood allergy: characterization of the causative allergen. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2012;157(2):202-8. Link
  3. 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
  4. Hessel PA, Herbert FA, Melenka LS, Yoshida K, Michaelchuk D, Nakaza M. Lung health in sawmill workers exposed to pine and spruce. Chest. 1995;108(3):642-646. Link
  5. Estlander T, Jolanki R, Alanko K, Kanerva L. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dusts. Contact Dermatitis. 2001;44(4):213-7. Link
  6. Majamaa H, Viljanen P. Occupational facial allergic contact dermatitis caused by Finnish pine and spruce wood dusts. Contact Dermatitis. 2004;51(3):157-158. 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 .