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The Shop => Wood & Stuff => Topic started by: sbwhart on February 17, 2010, 05:24:45 AM

Title: Wood Allergy
Post by: sbwhart on February 17, 2010, 05:24:45 AM

Hi

Have any of you Guys suffered from an allergy to wood, recently I machined some hard wood, not sure what sort (reddy fibrous stuff) came out with a red itchy rash on my face and eyes, when I go into my shop if I disturb the wood dust from my machining activity it flares up again this is despite cleaning my shop out and vacuuming but the dust seems to have gotten everyware. Did a web search and there is quite a list of different woods that will cause an allergic reaction.

Believe me its very uncomfortable

Take care out there you don't know what will bite you next.

Stew

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: andyf on February 17, 2010, 05:35:10 AM

Could it have been rosewood? I think that can cause problems, though more from splinters rather than simple contact, or there wouldn't be much rosewood furniture around.

Andy

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: rleete on February 17, 2010, 08:15:15 AM

Rosewood is a pain.  It smells good, but I got some reaction (sneezing, itchy/watery eyes) from making pens of the stuff.  Never had a problem in over 35 years of woodworking before this.

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: Gerhard Olivier on February 17, 2010, 11:46:29 AM

Hi Stew

Not Meranti?  it fits the description http://www.realoakfloors.co.uk/meranti_hardwood_timber.php

Some is even redder and it is stringy and difficult to get it to look nice.(enough to put people of woodwork)

It is also well know for alergic reactions (itch sneeze and eye water)

Hope it helps

Gerhard

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: tinkerer on February 17, 2010, 06:28:43 PM

Here is a link to a rather lengthy, but interesting, article about the hazards of wood allergies. I protect my lungs as much as possible, but the skin is almost impossible to keep free of the dust. The article explains the bodies attempt to protect you and the hazards of multiple exposure.
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Wood_Hazards

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: sbwhart on February 18, 2010, 02:20:46 AM

Thanks for the information Guys, I'm going to be more carful in the future.

Thanks again

Stew

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: Pelallito on March 13, 2010, 06:13:33 PM

Stew,
You might consider what some of the knife makers use. They take a $20 box fan and attach a throw away filter to it. It sucks up that super fine dust and keeps the shop cleaner. One KM riveted angle iron to the box fan, so that the filters were a quick and easy swap.
I don't have one yet, but I will be getting one before I continue on a maul handle that I was finishing before I got sick. I think it got to me.
Hope you feel better.
Fred
PS Forgot to mention that the handle was made of Purpleheart.

Title: Re: Wood Allergy
Post by: sbwhart on March 14, 2010, 03:25:19 AM

Thanks Fred I'm 100% fit again all the itch as cleared up and thats a good tip with the fan.

Cheers

Stew