[xsailer]

Boy! Just got over being sick for about 4 hours. Other than being tired from the days activities I got sicker than a dog for no apparent reason(food,drink,etc). Thinking back what did it makes me wonder if it was the wood I was sanding, Purple Heart wood and not really very much of it and not for very long. Wasn't wearing a mask because I working with a pencil size piece of wood and hardley any dust. Has anyone had a similar experience? Yes, I know different woods can cause different situations. I've seen reported listings of how different woods effect people on the net. Tommorow I'm starting a looksee of info out there on the net.

[TUKLONITA]

Hello sailor, I've had the same experience while sanding aromatic cedar. I can't remember feeling bad after working in any other wood, but cedar can make me queezy... Because my mind works in funny ways, I invented a handheld device for holding small projects that had built-in vacuum ports and connected to a Shop-Vac... I tried to market the thing but carvers weren't ready for something that radical... so, I gave it to a non-carver in California and whether he has put it on the market or not is a closely guarded secret... I ain't seen it since...

[RoadKingMN]

Here is a list of wood and how toxic they can be. http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/wood2.html It looks like breathing the Purpleheart dust may have caused your nausea.

[xsailer]

RoadKingMN,
Thanks for the info. I have no doubt after reading the symptoms that the wood dust is what did it. It took about an hour for the symptoms to hit but hit they did. Yawning,sneezing,sick. I had been using a dust mask earlier when grinding basswood and didn't put the mask on when I changed to the Purpleheart wood because I saw no dust and like I said did very little sanding on a small 3/8x3/8x3" piece. Lesson learned.

[Nancy-ID]

I know I get nausea from basswood dust. Not real bad but enough to notice it everytime.

[Kenny_S]

Sorry to hear you getting sick Bob. Most generally, I don't use a respirator but try to use a mask when sanding. The sometimes I don't all together. Guesss I will now.
Glad you are better but wear a mask!

[wade clark]

The great book, WOOD IDENTIFICATION AND USE by Terry Porter, says, "Dust can cause irritation and nausea" in reference to Purple Heart.
Cypress gives me huge sinus headaches if I'm not careful, but I still love to carve castles out of cypress knees!
There are many woods that will give you one kind or another of reaction...skin irritation, asthma-like symptoms, headaches...especially if you breathe the dust. Most of the ones bugs don't like will do it.
Wade

[oldbearx2]

Speaking from experience I know any of the spalted ? woods can really make you sick. Something to do with mold spores in the wood. I power carve it and use a dust collector and dust mask. Also I do not allow anyone in the carving room when I'm working it. Harold

[Eddy Smiles]

Harold... Thanks for the tip on spalted wood. I have a bunch in my inventory and since I have allergies anyway wearing a mask when making dust while power carving these is a darn good idea. I always wear a mask when power carving cedar but never gave basswood a thought. Duh!

[Callynne]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction, xsailer! I used to sand a 'tiny bit' here and there without a mask, no more! I learned too, headaches, cold or allergy like symptoms and they always came on after the 'unprotected sanding'. I hate wearing a mask but it's just not worth the risk not to, even for those quick touch up moments!!

I have started wearing the Dust Bee Gone Mask and really like it. It definitely filters more, fits better and more comfortably than the paper ones. They are expensive but since they're washable, they're a better buy in the long run!

By the way....I absolutely love my tool holder, that is the slickest thing!!! All my tools not only in plain sight but the thing rotates around so it's easy to find just the one I need! Thanks again for posting that picture! Deborah
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