The aim of the study was to determine occupational exposure in Croatian wood processing industry and forest
workers to harmful effects of wood dust on the risk of nose, nasal cavity and lung carcinoma. Mass concentrations of respirable
particles and total wood dust were measured at two wood processing plants, three woodwork shops, and one
lumbering site, where 225 total wood dust samples and 221 respirable particle samples were collected. Wood dust mass
concentration was determined by the gravimetric method. Mass concentrations exceeding total wood dust maximal allowed
concentration (MAC, 3 mg/m3) were measured for beechwood and oakwood dust in 38% (79/206) of study samples
from wood processing facilities (plants and woodwork shops). Mass concentrations of respirable particles exceeding
MAC (1 mg/m3) were recorded in 24% (48/202) of samples from wood processing facilities (mean 2.382.08 mg/m3
in plants and 3.62.22 mg/m3 in woodwork shops). Thus, 13% (27/206) of work sites in wood processing facilities
failed to meet health criteria according to European guidelines. Launching of measures to reduce wood dust emission
to the work area is recommended.