toxic woods

[charpepper]

I know that some woods are toxic when cut. I was just wondering if blood wood was. I just finished making a project with it. I probably should have asked before I started the project. The project turned out really nice
Thanks for any information.
Mimi

[Frankie639]

Toxic wood?
I had never heard that, other than pressure treated lumber used outside.
What woods are toxic?

[JimSawyer]

I know that some woods, like mahogany, can pose a respitory problem. The sawdust is so fine that it can mess with your lungs. Don't know what other woods cause problems though.

[Greenfield_Bob]

I don't know if it is toxic or not, but I cut some ornaments out of Paduka and looked like red pepper, it got under my finger nails and made my nose run.

Bob

[NMScroller]

I sometimes wear a dust mask when cutting bb ply or domestic woods. I ALWAYS wear a mask when cutting African hardwoods or similar types. I used to feel nasty and short breathed after cutting purple heart on my table saw, so I now make sure to wear something. I also noticed a large blister from a small splinter of canary wood.

Some woods can cause discomfort, blood wood would be one of them. Next time you order form exoticwoods.net, keep the papers that come with the wood. One of the papers they send you is a chart of wood species and their health effects.

Brian

[Nubbin]

I have heard of wood toxicity and do have a chart in my shop. I believe I got it in a copy of WOOD mag but can't remember for sure. I did find this chart on the I-net and hope I am not violating any rules by adding the link here.

http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/roche/...isc/wood.toxic

[charpepper]

thanks for all the input. When I get a chance I will post a pic.
Thanks agian
Mimi

[JohnB]

G'day all,
I don't know to much about the toxicity of timbers that we use in Aust. None seem to have any adverse effects, with the exception of NYATOH. I'm not even sure if it's available still as I
haven't seen it for years. It was a very nice timber for making fine furniture, easy to work and polished beautifully. But what a bugger while working with it. Your nose would burn so you'd be constantly sneezing, this would make you eyes run etc. After a while though you'd get used to it and wouldn't cause any problems until the next job being made with it. And away you'd go again.

[Huntter2022]

As a general rule hardwoods are more hazardous to human health than softwoods. There are exceptions, in particular western red cedar, a softwood, is usually identified as one of the most hazardous to human health. The health effects appear to be related to the concentration of tannin and similar compounds in the wood. The following web pages list different types of woods and provide information about each one and how they may affect humans.
Found this on the OSHA site: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wooddust/recognition.html

David

[Frankie639]

I suspect the health benefits of enjoying a fun hobby like wood working out weight any potential health risks, as long as you use common sense, and, like everything else in life - moderation.