Toxic woods........

[Stormbringer]

which were mentioned off and on in some posts peaked my curiousity. I was wondering which, how achieved and how serious. The following site lists quite a few. Do any long time, more knowledgeable carvers than me have any comment on this list?

Toxic Wood List

[Clifford_Parker]

Not all woods toxic to rodents, as in the link you posted, birds, or other animals are toxic to humans. These pages are, IMO, better reference for woodworkers, turners, and carvers.

Wood Toxicity Resources - The American Association of Woodturners

Wood/Dust Toxicity Article - Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild

[AlArchie]

There are several areas of toxicity and those sites Cliff linked are very good references.

Toxicity varies from dermatological irritation such as the Arbor vitae and associated conniferous trees to pathological agents such as found in spalted woods, and some insect infected species.

Generally carving with knives and gouges shouldn't present much of a threat but power carving where dust is developed should always be dealt with by wearing a respirator of some type.

Then there is the allergy factor. You may find yourself having allergic reactions to wood that bothers absolutely no one else. You'll quickly find out about these with itchy skin, rashes, eye watering, athsma type problems or even upset stomach.
These you'll kinda have to find out for your self.

Al

[Dan S]

Just a note on the wood allergies. These can be cumulative or pick up alarmingly quickly. You can develop a reaction on your first exposure or your 400th. Some of there are also carcinogens.
If you are going to work, and create dust, with these exotics invest in a good respirator. A have afriend whose father was hospitilzed from his reactions to ebony. He had been working with it for years. As for me, after working with cocobolo for a year or so I break out in a rash and have breathing problems if I work with the stuff.

Dan

[Eddy-Smiles]

Ditto on what Dan said! When working with any equipment that creates dust like particles wear a dust mask or a respirator. That young viral 33-year old body may not notice anything but an annoying cough but years later us old farts seem to come down with the darndest inflictions! All for want of a $10.00 piece of safety equipment!

[JJireh]

Amen to respirators. I may not use a glove, but I sure as heck use a respirator.

[jartzh]

I instantly became allergic to Mesquite (after 10 years of heavy use).

What kind of dust filter works? I have the "nuisance" mask but they dont last and I have the full cartridge ones but they are a pain to wear for long periods.
Is there a lightweight type that was cleanable (or had paper cartridges) that would keep dust out of your mouth and nose?

[vacation212]

I get a rash on my handes when I carve cedar or teak.

[Eddy-Smiles]

When I'm power sanding or grinding I use an AO Safety Respirator with replaceable cartridges as sold at Home Depot, Lowes and Harbor Freight. Having worked around the trades and been involved in asbestos containment, hazardous material clean-up and confined space procedures I just got used to wearing a full face respirator for long periods of time. Now that I'm older and have respiratory issues it's no big deal and the insurance that it provides far outweighs any minor nuisances.