The influence of wood extractives on health of workers in wood industry

In wood market in Croatia tropical wood species such as semi-products like veneers, composite wood based material, lumber; parquetry components, interior materials, turnery products and other are traded and used. Tropical wood was recognized an important detrimental industrial factor in the second half of past century when over 300 botanic wood species were examined and their toxicity scientifically established. Clinical characteristics of various diseases are presented in this paper. Over 90% of diseases were caused by wood dust, and the rest by wood extractives. Toxic effects differ for different botanic wood species. Substances originally present in a tree may, after its felling, change and transform into new ones. Basic substances contained in a tree are exposed to weather conditions, change of temperature because of warming of the Sun, the activities of lichen, fungi, moulds and bacteria, vegetating on a tree after its felling. Relating to the occurrence of certain diseases of employees working in wood processing companies in the Republic of Croatia, it is necessary from the point of view of the organisation and industrial hygiene, individually evaluate each wood species relative to its toxicity and consequently amend hygiene related standards and prohibit the use of certain wood species.