The main occupational hazard for workers of wood industry is wood dust of biological origin which may contain two groups of adverse factors: components of wood itself and microorganisms developing in wood. Long lasting occupational exposure to inhalation of wood dust, mostly from hardwood (oak, beech) may cause sinonasal cancer (adenocarcinoma). Numerous non neoplastic disorders of respiratory tract, mucous membranes and skin noted after exposure to wood dust, such as: allergic alveolitis, organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, bronchial hyperreactivity, chronic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic dermatitis – are often due to allergenic and immunotoxic action of bacteria and fungi developing in wood and their products (bacterial endotoxin, (1→3)-β-D-glucan, mycotoxins).

Fungi occurring in wood dust often cause allergic alveolitis and ODTS, rarely asthma. The frequent cause of work-related disease are mould fungi Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus, less often Cryptostroma corticale, Rhizopus microsporus ssp. rhizopodiformis and other species. Among the bacteria associated with wood, a significant risk for woodworkers is posed by Gram-negative bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae (Rahnella aquatilis, Rahnella spp., Pantoea agglomerans, Enterobacter spp.), which produce potent endotoxins.

Prophylactic measures in wood industry comprise dust reduction, use of modern technologies, prevention of mould growth on stored wood, the use of personal protective equipment, monitoring of dust concentration and health education.