[bckskin2]

Every time I work with walnut my eyes burn later. Is it a chemical in the wood?
Would goggles help. I wear glasses & an optivisor.
Thanks,
Jerry

[Colin_Partridge]

Never had that problem with walnut but different people react differently do things I would suggest a mask and goggles if you are getting a reaction.
Colin

[BobD]

Walnut gives me a sinus infection any time I cut it without a dust mask (on the scroll saw, etc.) If I'm hand carving it, I'm fine, but the dust does me in.

It could be the dust...are you hand carving or power carving...and do you sand the walnut?

Another thing that I find myself doing it wiping my eyes without cleaning my hands...it's easy to transmit dust to your eyes that way!

Bob

[bckskin2]

All three time I was using a Microplane. Once on a muzzle loader stock, & twice on a knife handle.
I'm going to try the goggles.
Thanks,
Jerry

[BobD]

Those microplanes do throw up a lot of dust! I'd definately use goggles--and maybe a dust mask!

Bob

[Callynne]

Goggles will definitely help, I think the smoke tends to get 'caught' up under our glasses. I've started running my dust collector when I woodburn, it pulls the smoke away from me. I don't need goggles, in fact, I can even wear my contacts and it doesn't bother my eyes....as long as the dust collector is running!

I also noticed I always got a headache when I woodburnt, that doesn't happen with the dust collector running.

Of course, I'm not talking about 'light, accenting' burning, I'm talking deep burning to texture in hair. If it doesn't looked charred it isn't done.....hmmmm, sort of like how I like my steak! (Hubby shudders every time he cooks one for me! ) Deborah

[Mitchell]

Callynne provides a good tip. If possible, use a fan to blow the smoke from your face (if you don't have a dust collector). You don't have to have the fan blowing towards you, but pulling the air away. This will help keep the temp constant on your burning tip (the fan blowing onto your tip will keep it cool).

Walnut DOES have a chemical that is an irritant (sp?). I can't remember the details. If I remember correctly, it's a natural adaptation that keeps other plants from growing around the tree - thereby increasing the chances of a healthy tree. If you look at a walnut tree in the wild, you may notice that there's not other trees growing close nearby (generally speaking). I read it somewhere a long time ago, so I may be confused.

[dutchmanmk3]

The Simple Direct answer is YES wear eye protection, and use "Effective" dust collection !

All Walnuts contains Juglone. This chemical is a toxic defense mechanism that kills any competing tree in it's range. It is an extremely powerful herbicide, second only to Nicotine in effectiveness. Never dump Walnut shavings or sawdust anywhere you want plants to grow.

It is particularly lethal to Horses ! This is one of the reasons that Good Walnut can be so hard to come by as many mills will not mill walnut because they have to clean and sterilize the mill afterwards.

One of a mills greatest expenses and chores is waste disposal of the shavings. Clean shavings can be sold at profit to stables, and pet supplys. Tainted shavings are toxic Rubish !!! Consequently Burning Walnut will release it directly into the surrounding enviornment.

All people will reacty differently, but as you have already discovered the walnut dust will get in the eyes, and be carried to and through Mucous membranes into your body. Any moist orifice will Do ! It usually takes a week or two to get out of your system, but could easily perpetuate a sinus infection.

I'm Violently allergic to Pine Tar, and Turpentine. Pine dust mixed with sweat on a hot day will burn like acid, and Any pine cleaner can put me in the emergency room in minutes. This is why I work with hardwoods predominantly, but Walnut, Rosewood, Cocabola, Ebony, Lignum Vitae, Sapele, and Mahogany etc... can be even worse, if not fatal.

My down draft table runs a dedicated 1250 CFM, and all my sanders are hooked up to an 8.5 horse Shop Vac. I still wear dust masks and respirators. My spray booth runs an addition 1250 CFM dedicated turbine, and most carving tables have an additional shroud. I enjoy working with wood, and prefer to keep doing it as long as possible.

Many of the solvents we use for finish are derived from wood products and petrol. Over time these solvents can act as a vehicle on unprotected skin, and pull any substance into your system until you reach a a saturation point and then you become hyper-sensitive to it. This condition is known as Enviormental Disease. Simply Stated a person CAN Become allergic to many of the things we love the most. Hobbies, pets, foods etc... So All solvents should be handled with care, and Any Sawdust is Supect. Not to Preach, but certain woods are particularly Lethal ! Walnut is a lesser known risk that most folks are not aware of.

[Claude]

I posted this in another thread a while back...perhaps it's time to post it again.

Here's a list of wood toxicity:

http://old.mendelu.cz/~horacek/toxic.htm

Claude