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OK, I am so allergic to things that I am not going to take a chance on the woods that commonly are causing you all severe problems. So, no Pau Ferra or cocobolo--I'll have to get rid of what I have. Can you advise me of other woods that cause severe problems for you?

Search the forum. There was an excellent post that had a pretty inclusive list. Unfortunately, it's very inclusive! Makes one want to hide under the covers.

I've gotten sensitized to cedar but that was building a sauna. I think most people that have problems with cedar need pretty massive exposures. Surprisingly, that went away after 15 years or so.

The safe thing to do is be careful with everything. Wear a real respirator, not a paper mask. A hat is a good idea to keep dust out of your hair. Good dust collection. Don't go in and out of your house with dusty clothes. Never burn scraps and get a faceful of smoke from questionable wood!!

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Like Kent said, be careful with anything. I suspect filling our lungs with dust is bad, even if we aren't allergic. Some medicines are made from stuff found inside trees. Most allergies aren't that bad but it's possible to have a full scale allergic reaction and go into anaphylactic shock. At the advice of a Doctor friend/client of mine I've got an epi pen in my shop just in case. Different people are going to be allergic to different things. When working with new woods, or woods I think may cause me problems I put a little dust on a band aid, and stick it to my leg for a few hours to make sure I don't react to it. I wouldn't give up on Cocobolo or Pau Ferro until you know you're allergic. I'm allergic to Coco but have no problems with Pau Ferro.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Don't come near me with lacewood!

Spanish cedar. Quick and bad reactions.
And minor reactions to bloodwood.

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

A good friend of mine breaks out when working ziricote ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"