Hi gang,
There was some discussion last week about the dangers of carving spalted wood and a question to whether it caused lung cancer or was a contributor to lung cancer. I think that I scared a few people when I made reference to this. I refered to an article where a gentleman had died as a result and had before his death made reference to that fact I have found the article and you can read it for yourself and make your own opinions. I only made reference to it because I care about the friends that I have made here on this board. I have attatched the reference http://www.thecmwa.com/pdf/Dec02.pdf.
Lets all read it and we can discuss it in length.
Colin

My understanding on spalted wood is the main danger is from sanding or turning the wood and inhaling the dust into the lungs. Some (but all) spalted wood contains bacteria which will attach to the lungs and grow into really serious problems.

Carving with knive and chisels is very inert and it would be very rare to inhale any small particles. However, when power carving and sanding you should have a good mask and filters for protection. Many wood turners use spalted wood to creat fantastic art.

Regards,
Fred Krow

Fred has it right! (except for the pathogen) It's fungal spores that cause the problem. Most bacterial infections are fairly simple to treat, but fungal infections are harder to diagnose, although after a severe outbreak in Minnesota in the last several years, there is more awareness of this. They are also a bit more difficult to treat than most bacterial infections. We have a close friend who nearly died from one of these infections and it took nearly two years to get properly diagnosed and then another year or so of very slow recovery.
She's doing fine now, but it was a very scary period of time for her and her friends and family.

Al

Bacteria, fungi and viri are funny little critters aren't they. In nature a predator will size another creature before attacking. If there is a good chance that it might not win the predator will leave. Those little bugs on the other hand don't seem to care what they attack. A microspopic organism can lay low the strongest of men. No wonder it took us so long to figure these things out.

Well, Fred seems to have hit the issue on the head. Glad your friend made it through Al.

Knife carvers live longer!!! No breathing in dust. Big Al

[Captain_Bandaid]

I agree with Big Al! I refuse to use power carving tools for that and other reasons. I will, however, stop nibbling on the chips! Between the fungi, mold, and naturally occuring chemicals in some woods, creating an airborn pathogen seems somewhat foolhardy, IMHO.

Hmppphhh! Chewing doesn't seem to bother the beavers!

Al

What is the life-span of the average beaver?

Depends on how many wolves are in the area; 7-8 is OLD!

Al