Are wood chips dangerous if I breathe in the dust?

Yes! They definitely can be, depending on a few factors. It's always better to be safe than sorry. We strongly recommend wearing a dust mask 😷, safety glasses 🥽, and gloves 🧤 when handling fresh mulch. This should keep you plenty safe.

If you want to be extra cautious, you can wet down your pile with water before moving it. Or, you can spread the pile out a bit with a rake, wait a few hours, and then move the material. All of this will help limit the amount of gas and dust you might inhale while moving the mulch.

If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or nautious while moving mulch, STOP IMMEDIATELY and consult with your physician. It's not worth risking your health to mulch your yard. Get some help from some friends or neighbors, or someone who is less susceptible to the effects of wood chip dust and mulch.