Toxic dust

H

hellgap

Joined
Dec 17, 2008
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I wanted to kinda add to the other post. I have been trying alot of different woods like bubbinga, red palm, coca bola , Iron wood , sycamore, leopard wood, lace wood. Those are most that ive tried Ihave more like brazilian roze wood ,cherry wood, mahogany, maple, KOA , IPE . Please let me know if i ve got any real bad ones or tell me what are the bad ones to avoid of be careful of. I just did a knife with red palm It sanded poorly beacause it sanded way to fast even though it was stabilized .From now on ill hand sand the BLACK and red palm I have Its just way to sofe . I have worked mostly Ironwood and its excellent . Let me know your opinions . kellyw
 
A simple rule of thumb is to treat every dust as dangerous because any dust in your lungs can cause problems, even flour.

Use a respirator or point of source extraction when dust is involved.

George
 
I count any dust I am making as toxic. Just to be safe.
I don't want to find out the hard way that something was toxic by winding up in the hospital or dead. Plus I am too lazy to read or ask if things are toxic :D Turns out wearing the mask is the lazy way out!
 
Any of those dusts as mentioned are dangerous. Dust in the lungs can over time create scarring. That's basically what scilicosis is, and though you may not notice it tomorrow, it can catch up to you later on down the road. Anytime you're using power equipment that creates a dust in the air, wear a respirator. And keep in mind that those dusts stay in the air for good long while and get stirred up easily. Vacuume up the shop regularly.

I don't know the toxicity of most of the woods you cited, but I do know Ironwood can be nasty because of its high scilicon content, and it and many other woods can contain fungii or other organics that can set up a nasty and occasinoally deadly infection in your lungs.

Any wood worker will tell you that you can sensitize to a whole bunch of woods over time. Cocobollo is one that comes to mind that many develop allergies to. As such, protect your lungs!

--nathan
 
Those woods aren't poisonous but as said, over time can become dangerous.

Also, if you are allergic to the wood, bad things can happen.
 
ALL WOOD DUST is carcinogenic for nasal cancer...that's fact not opinion. Every one is chemically wired for different allergies and wood fiber extractives that make up color, aroma etc., react differently with different people. Some species like coco bolo are considered sensitizers meaning it works like poison oak...one day nothing and the next pus sores and respiratory trauma. Take no risks with wood dust just good common sense and you'll be fine.
 
Google "toxic woods" and a bunch of lists come up that list species and possible side effects from exposure. Quite a few woods you mentioned working with are on the lists.

The information is out there and not hard to find. It's probably worth looking up any new wood before use. There are some common woods that most folks would not think of as being possibly harmful on the lists.
 
Thanks Larry and mahoney I appreciate the time youve taken . It could save a life in the long run . Iknow last week it was like acid in my eyes when I was working some type of wood 20 minutes of flushing in the sink of cold water did the trick but next time could have been bad . kellyw
 
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