allergies

You never know with exotics.....I had no problem with anything and one day I was turning some cocobolo and my face and hands and arms swelled up.....:blink: :blink: :blink:

One Doctor ...also a woodworker.....told me that the more exposure and the more fine dust you breath in has something to do with developing allergies to wood. I don't know if I believe that or not, but I have friends that are allergic to walnut and cherry. Just popped up all of a sudden...

I guess, who knows?? I do know that I don't turn cocobolo anymore...:no: :no: :no:

Burlkraft said:

I don't know if I believe that or not, but I have friends that are allergic to walnut

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We are still friends right? I can sawmill walnut, not as much problem. But fine walnut sanding dust makes my face break out (acne). It gets in my pours or something and even with heavy washing it still happens. I noticed it a few years ago and kinda watched it to see if it was just coincidence, nope, it makes my face red and breaks me out.

My daughter was asking about toxic woods. So I found this site for her. Good info for anybody that works with wood.
http://www.mimf.com/archives/toxic.htm

Mike

Sensitivity to woods

You can work for years with any particular wood and suddenly develop a sensitivity to the dust. This is true for both domestic and exotic species. Although some species are more likely to produce sensitivity than others, there is no species that promotes sensitivity 100% of the time. Likewise, there is no species that universally does not promote sensitivity. No one knows how or why that happens.

The best advice is to (a) avoid that species; or (b) use mechanical protection/controls, i.e. dust mask, long sleeve shirts, effective dust collection/air filtration, blow off or wash hands frequently, keep equipment and tools dust-free as much as possible, etc.

Peter Bossé

If its mostly a respiratory affect forget the dust mask and go respirator instead. Those little paper things won't stop much if you talking about fine dust.

I have always been alergic to cedar and steer clear of that stuff. But last fall I was working with white birch for a prolonged period of time and my tongue swelled up so I couldn't bite without pinching it. Tender as hell too. Better with a respirator but still lingered in the shop for several days after, could taste it when I walked through the door. Never happened before and won't again as I am done with that stuff.