Dust Almanac

Teak

Tectona grandis · Lamiaceae · hardwood

Also known as: Burmese teak, true teak, plantation teak, Tectona grandis

Region: Native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand); widely grown in plantations across the tropics

Planed board of teak with golden honey-brown heartwood, faint darker streaks and an oily-looking surface.

Teak is a golden-brown, naturally oily hardwood that resists rot and moisture, which makes it a classic choice for boat decks and fittings, outdoor furniture and joinery. Its high silica content dulls cutting edges quickly.

Health hazards

  • Skin allergy

    Evidence: Confirmed in clinical testing

    Teak dust is a well documented cause of allergic skin rashes. In one furniture factory study about half of heavily exposed workers had eczema or severe itching, and patch tests confirmed allergy to teak dust; lapachol and deoxylapachol in the wood are identified sensitizers.1234

    Effects
    allergic contact dermatitis, itching
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Skin irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    Hives (nettle rash) from teak are listed by the UK safety regulator and described in a case report, and the factory study above found that moistened teak dust could also irritate skin directly.451

    Effects
    contact urticaria (hives), skin irritation
    Exposure route
    skin
    From
    dust

  • Respiratory irritation

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    The UK safety regulator lists breathing problems among the reported effects of teak dust.4

    Effects
    respiratory symptoms
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Asthma / respiratory allergy

    Evidence: Reported

    Occupational asthma from teak is listed in a peer-reviewed review of wood dust allergy, based on a German workplace study we have not yet been able to check directly.6

    Effects
    asthma
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Listed by an agency

    ACGIH names teak dust as a suspected human carcinogen (class A2).7

    Effects
    nasal and sinus cancer
    Exposure route
    inhalation
    From
    dust

  • Cancer

    Evidence: Applies to all wood dust

    IARC classifies all wood dust as carcinogenic to humans, mainly linked to cancers of the nasal cavity and sinuses after long-term exposure.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) 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

Known compounds

  • deoxylapachol: main contact allergen of teak; sensitizes guinea pigs in experimental tests source
  • lapachol: naphthoquinone sensitizer; patch-test positive in teak-allergic workers source

Workers sensitized to teak also reacted to jacaranda wood dust containing lapachol in patch tests (Krogh-1964). Several unrelated timbers are sold with 'teak' in the name (for example 'African teak' for iroko); check the botanical name.

Sources

  1. Krogh HK. Contact eczema caused by true teak (Tectona grandis). An epidemiological investigation in a furniture factory. Br J Ind Med. 1962;19(1):42-46. Link
  2. Krogh HK. Contact eczema caused by true teak (Tectona grandis). A follow-up study of a previous epidemiological investigation, and a study into the sensitizing effect of various teak extracts. Br J Ind Med. 1964;21(1):65-68. Link
  3. Estlander T, Jolanki R, Alanko K, Kanerva L. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dusts. Contact Dermatitis. 2001;44(4):213-7. Link
  4. 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
  5. Schmidt H. Contact urticaria to teak with systemic effects. Contact Dermatitis. 1978;4(3):176-177. Link
  6. Schlünssen V, Sigsgaard T, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Kespohl S. Workplace exposure to wood dust and the prevalence of wood-specific sensitization. Allergol Select. 2018;2(1):101-110. Link
  7. US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Chemical Database: Wood Dust. Last updated 06/23/2023. Link
  8. 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
  9. Schmalle HW, Hausen BM. The structure of deoxylapachol, the contact allergen of Tectona grandis L. Naturwissenschaften. 1984;71(11):581-582. Link

Last reviewed .