Is burning laminate flooring scraps dangerous?

Question

is it enviornmentally safe to burn laminate flooring scraps, should they be recycled or put in landfills.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The Laminates are made of MDF. Medium density fiberboard This is a health hazzard for your lungs when you cut it with a power saw.

Drawbacks of MDF:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-dens…
Heavier (the resins are heavy)
Contains urea-formaldehyde which may cause eye and lung irritation when cutting and sanding

The glue that binds the laminations is made with formaldehyde. This is a toxic chemicle when burned and inhaled
Finally, any plastic layers (maybe the top surface) when burned, will produce cyanide gas. This gas is heavier than air, and can kill pets sleeping on the floor.

Just ask your local fire department, that's where I learned this stuff....

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thank you...glad I didn't save them for the woodstove

Answer 2

Yes, it's very dangerous. Laminates contain a lot of plastics.

Don't burn, send them to the dump.

Answer 3

Along with all the nasty chemicals in the laminate some of the old ones have asbestos in there backer because it was cheap.When removing try to keep in mind.also asbestos does not burn so easily.

Answer 4

yes it's fine! here wat you should do make a bon fire and invite me because i wanna burn some stuff!