Reaction to wood

[TAIrving]

I have had to stop work on an intarsia project due to a reaction to one of the woods.  Has anyone else had this problem?

The culprit is Bloodwood. I have cut most of the pieces for the project but have not yet started sanding.  It started when I cut the red/Bloodwood pieces. My arms started itching badly and I have scratched my arm almost raw. I dare not try sanding this stuff.

I checked out the article on "Wood Allergies and Toxicity" and Bloodwood rates as one of the less offensive woods, but not so for me. https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

I will have to find a different wood for red highlights.

[JJB]

Yeah Bloodwood is not terrible for most people but you may just be one of the few it affects in that way. I have friend that had never had any problems with any species, until he got his hands on Zebrawood. He has severe reaction just touching it.

 

Have you tried Redheart or Padauk?

[Scrappile]

I get a slight reaction to when using Cocobolo.  I love the wood. I have quite a few pieces of it. But it does make my nose run and lots of sneezing.

[FrankEV]

Pants. long sleeve shirt with laytex glloves ooverlapping and taped, full face respirator mask with scarf to prevent dust from getting on head and neck...and then go at it.

Comments from other Intarsia makers have stated the same thing about various woods.  Seems like everyone reacts alergy wise differently. 

I use a full respirator mask when shaping and sanding and a vacumn system.  However, my shop is small and dust gets airborn, so it still gets into my nose and it makes me sneeze a lot.  Fortunately, no other adverse reactions.  

I've been meaning to try Bloodwood.  I think I will be very careful when I do.

 

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

In the turning world Cocobolo is probably the one that effects alot of turners. Will say  this  Padauk is has to be the dustiest wood ever made by  Mother Nature. The dust gets everywhere. You have been warned. Many times different species of woods come from different parts of the world. I know bloodwood is one of them. Many times you have no idea where they came from so hard to tell you to change sources. Good luck.

[redwine]

The one wood that I react to is Mahogany! I found that out when I was not using a face mask and was sneezing, nose running like a facet! Had not had any problem with woods before that so I started using a face mask like I should have been doing before! 

Erv

[Oldmansbike]

I get a sinus infection every time I work with walnut.

[OCtoolguy]

When I first started scrolling I had some cheap plywood from when I redid the interior of a motorhome. I think it might have been Phillipine mahogany, cheap thin crap that was used as a backing for wallpapered walls. The dust got up my nose and I was plugged up for 2 weeks. That's when I bought my first dust mask. I now have a very good respirator mask with changeable filters.

[Wichman]

What kind of protection are you using now?

In addition to the advice already given I would add, a good respirator with organic vapor cartridges. The OV cartridges will limit the exposure to sensitive agents, your body just gets overwhelmed.

Another useful protection is a product called "gloves in a bottle". This is a hand and body, or arms in this case, that bonds with the skin and limits contact with the sawdust.

A strategy to think about is to limit your exposure to several hours and then strip off your outwear into the washer and take a shower. Launder the outerwear before wearing again.

The goal here is to think "how do I limit my exposure". The older we get the more we will find things our bodies just don't like. Being prepared for the next one will keep you more comfortable over the long run.

And finally, a good ! Temporary ! Relief is calamine lotion. This is a poor replacement for good cleanliness practices ( showering off the irritant ) and protective measures, but to keep you from scratching yourself raw, it's pretty good.

[MarieC]

I have cut with red heart which is a really pretty red wood and have had no issues...You might want to try that.  Often times Red heart goes on sale in February (for the Valentine's day month) at Woodcraft so you might want to see if that is the case this year. Here is a discription of it: 

The bright red background of Redheart (Erythroxylon mexicanum) is host to a number of very interesting streaks and closed knots. It is smooth and tight grained, and sands to a nice workable surface. Redheart does not tear out when planed, and is nice for scroll sawing. In many ways it is similar to Bloodwood in character and color without the possibility of allergic reaction from the dust. (It comes from Mexico most of the time)

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

39 minutes ago, MarieC said:

I have cut with red heart which is a really pretty red wood and have had no issues...You might want to try that.  Often times Red heart goes on sale in February (for the Valentine's day month) at Woodcraft so you might want to see if that is the case this year. Here is a discription of it: 

The bright red background of Redheart (Erythroxylon mexicanum) is host to a number of very interesting streaks and closed knots. It is smooth and tight grained, and sands to a nice workable surface. Redheart does not tear out when planed, and is nice for scroll sawing. In many ways it is similar to Bloodwood in character and color without the possibility of allergic reaction from the dust. (It comes from Mexico most of the time)

Example of redheart.

 

[TAIrving]

Thanks all for your insightful replies and suggestions.  

Redheart sounds like a good alternative to Bloodwood.  None of my usual local sources carry it.  I will watch for it at Woodcraft: thanks @MarieC for the suggestion.  And thanks John @JTTHECLOCKMAN for the beautiful example.

Thankfully I was wearing a mask, this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBWXWYR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.  I also have a respirator with changeable filters like Ray and Wichita @OCtoolguy and @Wichman suggested.  I use that one when painting or doing something that produces organic vapors.  

My shop vac has HEPA filters so hopefully I did not leave much of the Bloodwood sawdust in my shop.  

Now onward to the next project, still deciding what.