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which woods worst allergic
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=46414		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  wbergman [ Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  which woods worst allergic
I am going to get rid of the worst allergic woods. Referring to tables, they are all bad, so I just need results of actual experience. I am going to get rid of cocobolo and pau ferro. Are there others that are especially bad? Are granadillo and zirocote fairly safe?
Author:  Clay S. [ Sat Sep 26, 2015 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
I would add goncalo alves to that list, but YMMV.
Author:  Tom West [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 4:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
The dust from Spanish Cedar causes me to sneeze and get congested. Beyond that not sure of the danger.
Tom
Author:  kencierp [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
Its not safe to breath any type of wood dust.

Each individual's immune system handles particulates, oils and resins differently, internally and on the extremities. I don't believe there's a rule book. Plus one might work, say Black Walnut for years -- then boom they have some kind of reaction.
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
I'm not sure why you want to get rid of everything that you could possibly have a reaction to. Folks respond in different ways and to different degrees to the various irritants or sensitizers. I've been lucky in that I'm not sensitive to any broadleaf plant oil that I've ever been exposed to, to the best of my knowledge. I can weed poison ivy by hand with no gloves, etc. On the other hand, I have a bad head cold the entire time I am working a WRC top, and, during a much earlier-in-life period of interest in oil painting, it took me one session to realize that I was allergic to turpentine - I was in bed for the next day.

As for cocobola, I'd be glad to PM you my address for disposal [:Y:]
Author:  Bri [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
Here is a list from the wood data base, with a few interesting paragraphs.

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-artic ... -toxicity/.

But as Ken has suggested, everyone may react diferrently or not at all.
Woods listed as sensitizers may incresae the likeliehood of becoming allergic.
Author:  wbergman [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
I have more wood than I will ever use. I am the type who develops allergies. For example, I developed extreme allergy to some of my orchids--like poison ivy. I am going to get rid of the woods that I have heard some of you mention frequently as causing severe problems, such as cocobolo and pau ferro. I will still have more Dalbergia than I need. If I develop allergies to other woods, then I will get rid of them or eventually find another hobby.
Author:  Glen H [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
You can' rely on tables. I have zero problem with Cocobolo, but break out all over with EIR and Mahogany. Go figure.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Sun Sep 27, 2015 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
I'll gladly take your coco. Seriously.
Author:  Rodger Knox [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
I've met people who had significant problems with makore, and consequently I haven't tried it. It's not commonly used for guitars.
I can't work with pao ferro any more, and it's only a matter of time for cocobolo if I keep using it.
Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
Jim Kirby wrote:
I'm not sure why you want to get rid of everything that you could possibly have a reaction to. Folks respond in different ways and to different degrees to the various irritants or sensitizers. I've been lucky in that I'm not sensitive to any broadleaf plant oil that I've ever been exposed to, to the best of my knowledge. I can weed poison ivy by hand with no gloves, etc. On the other hand, I have a bad head cold the entire time I am working a WRC top, and, during a much earlier-in-life period of interest in oil painting, it took me one session to realize that I was allergic to turpentine - I was in bed for the next day.

As for cocobola, I'd be glad to PM you my address for disposal [:Y:]


Keep in mind that many things are "senstizers." Repeated exposure to them can/will eventually cause you to develop reactions to them. I too used to not be allergic to poison ivy and could touch it with no issues. I actually used to chop it up with the weed-eater spraying tiny oil covered particles through the air. Then one week, bam I reacted to it. It is a good thing I didn't get it in my lungs.
Author:  DennisK [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
Bryan Bear wrote:
Keep in mind that many things are "senstizers." Repeated exposure to them can/will eventually cause you to develop reactions to them. I too used to not be allergic to poison ivy and could touch it with no issues. I actually used to chop it up with the weed-eater spraying tiny oil covered particles through the air. Then one week, bam I reacted to it. It is a good thing I didn't get it in my lungs.

Yeah, just because you don't currently react doesn't mean you should treat them lightly. Consider yourself lucky, and take reasonable precautions like wearing long sleeves and a dust mask. It should greatly extend the time before you become allergic. After you become allergic, reasonable precautions are not enough.

Cocobolo seems to be a unique wood that goes beyond simply being a sensitizer. It doesn't give me allergies, but if the dust gets on the edges of my eyelids it burns like red pepper. So I also wear safety glasses with it.
Author:  Clay S. [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
" I too used to not be allergic to poison ivy and could touch it with no issues. I actually used to chop it up with the weed-eater spraying tiny oil covered particles through the air. Then one week, bam I reacted to it."

Another thing to keep in mind is that as we age our skin gets thinner and more prone to breakage. This also makes us more susceptible to poison ivy.
Author:  Droidiphile [ Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
And sometimes it's not the wood, per se, it's a fungus. Black Hearted Sassafras. My wife has weird allergies, and I can tell you it has been a strange journey to find out what she reacts to and what she does not. I wish you luck.
Author:  Clay S. [ Wed Sep 30, 2015 6:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: which woods worst allergic
wbergman wrote:
"I have more wood than I will ever use. I am the type who develops allergies. For example, I developed extreme allergy to some of my orchids--like poison ivy. I am going to get rid of the woods that I have heard some of you mention frequently as causing severe problems, such as cocobolo and pau ferro. I will still have more Dalbergia than I need. If I develop allergies to other woods, then I will get rid of them or eventually find another hobby."

Another plus for selling the wood now, is that it is still legal to do so, and cocobolo is bringing a good price. If you have decided you have more than you can possibly use then marketing it yourself for it's real value would be better than leaving it for your heirs to dump at some "fire sale".
Like you, I have more than enough wood to fill up my days left on the planet.
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