Is Your Wood Toxic
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- Опубликовано: 30 июн 2024
- In this video, I will share some resources to help you determine if a particular wood species may be toxic to your health. If you would like to help support my channel and get something cool in return, please consider the following:
www.eguitarplans.com/
/ highlineguitars
Resources for wood toxicity:
The Wood Database: www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...
The American Association of Woodturners: www.woodturner.org/Woodturner...
WoodUChoose: www.wooduchoose.com/blog/toxi....
DeckWise: www.deckwise.com/wood-allergi... 
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As someone who has a deadly insect allergy ( I've nearly died 3 times and carry epipens everywhere ) I'm VERY concerned about this. Anaphylactic shock is terrifying.
My Wood? Maybe...
My Playing? CERTAINLY!
Turn it up and Rock on!
This is very timely. I was working on a woodshop this saturday, and passing some wood through a plainer. It had been coated with some finish, maybe poly, nitro, something. It was making quite a bit of dust, and I wondered if I should be inhaling that dust. Probably not. I'll be wearing a good mask from now on. Several other people use the same space, and who knows what they are working with. There is an older gentleman, very knowledgeable, who always favors working in the outside area, and using old school tools (that make a lot less fine dust). He never said anything, but I think he may be on to something. I'll ask him next time. Good content.
And btw, now I can blame my lousy playing to an alergic reaction to the freatboard! 😂
Thanks for this video. I can react to E.I. Rosewood dust as if I have the world's worst sinus problems. So I use vacuums and a workshop air filter. Also, I thoroughly mask up. Afterward, I wash all exposed skin thoroughly. I have been warned off of cocobolo by someone who knows how severe that can be. The list looks like a great resource.
Cheers for the mention on my comment - my occupation is a doctor so this subject is very interesting to me - i suggest that everyone use a good respirator when using power tools and sanding on any species as lung disease is quite common and ive seen it in patients.
Another allergen that one should look out are finishes - Tung oil for example is made from the tung nut and can easily trigger anaphylaxis is someone with a nut allergy
I love the wood database soo much, such a great resource. It helps bridge the gap in understanding from my engineering background and my guitar hobby.
Wow, just for the name "greenheart" I would stock up if I did not know it was a toxic tree, thanks for that.
Good topic that is so often misunderstood. It is VERY rare for casual contact to induce an allergic reaction. The warnings about woods being a sensitizer is generally in regard to continual exposure; workers who are constantly exposed to the dust/oils for example. Case in point, I have a serious allergy to tree nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc.) but there is zero chance I would have a reaction to having furniture, or an instrument constructed from the wood of these trees. I do, however, take appropriate PPE and dust collection precautions when I work with them (cutting, sanding, routing, etc.) to minimize my exposure to their saw dust as inhaling it could very well trigger a potentially serious reaction or cause hyper-sensitivity to it from repeated exposure.
Ive never had the reactions youve described here, however I've gotten splinters several times from rosewood, ebony and other exotic woods and very quickly it turned into an infection. Swelling, itching and puss filled blister were the symptoms. Its very important to remove splinters from exotic woods (especially) quickly, making sure to get the entire splinter, then clean the wound well with hydrogen peroxide.
Hi there everyone including our host, Please do not let anyone especially dogs and young children chew on your guitar neck if it is made of Indian Laurel as it is Toxic.
There are other woods out there but I’m familiar with using Indian Laurel as a neck wood.
Same goes when you work on it making dust. Wear a good mask. They don’t have to be expensive. And eye protection, too.
Keep playing.
Nickel frets also cause allergies.
my grandfather got a job after the war, managing trees so thinning out cutting down and planting were all part of his job, after a few days he had developed a rash a really bad one? the culprit pine resin, he had to quit! fast forward 50 years I bought a house the previous owner had planted 3 conifer trees inside the fence for privacy 2 years they were there I had to trim it they had merged into a single hedge! Guess what whenever I cut them rash appeared so I cut them down!
Not nearly as toxic as my romantic relationships. I’m not getting lumber from Chernobyl that often. Lol
The Wood Database is fantastic. I like it so much and the work he does over there, I bought a copy of his book (nothing really that you can't get at the database, but I like leafing through books with a cup of coffee too much to give over to the the Internet completely).
While I love the internet, I have a very different mindset when I’m scrolling compared to when I’m sitting on the couch sipping good coffee, spinning some vinyl and browsing a thick, meaty book.
I get contact dermatitis from walnut dust, and only when I'm super sweaty. So I don't do much woodworking with walnut in the summer.
A wood I love (not for guitar making because it's unbelievably heavy) is Ipe. It is problematic because of its extremely high silica content, and allergenic oils. It eats through blades, and sandpaper, yet this makes it very strong and wear resistant. As such it is a popular wood for decking. I use it for tool handles, clamp bodies, and other shop projects that need strength and toughness where weight is not a huge concern. I run a dust collector, air cleaner, and keep the door to the shop open. I wear tight fitting long sleeves, a headsock and a respirator and shower up when I'm done, and have never had an issue. Also, I've never personally had any reaction to handling the things I've made with it, so I don't think the oils affect me much, at least hand tightening clamps and the like.
I’m bummed. Rosewood is another five star toxin wood. I always varnished the Coco bolo, which is also registered as a five star toxin wood.
Hi Chris, I've built a guitar with padauk body and pau ferro(santos rosewood) neck just one year ago, I'm still fighting the skin irritation at the hands so pay attention to this couple! Unfortunately I checked on the Wood Database too late..😅
I bought some Morado, or Pau Ferro, and used it for a fretboard. I had a severe allergic reaction. I gave the rest to a neighbor, making sure to tell them about the reaction I had. I have been paying attention to how I react for 10 years now, and I think I have learned a lot. I think my reaction is not from getting it on my skin, but rather in my eyes, nose and lungs. I used to wear a mask and my reading glasses. Now I wear a respirator and goggles I made which allow me to wear my readers while working. After working, I use a Netty Pot to ensure my sinuses are clear, and use artificial tears several times to clear out dust. And, of course, a shower. I check my hands thoroughly for splinters. I also vacuum as much dust out of my clothes as I can before washing them on heavy duty a few times. I play that guitar regularly and have no reaction from touching it. I haven't had any severe reactions since following these procedures.
That's a bummer. I love Morado/Pau Ferro.
I love wood database -- awesome resource!
And to that end, this is a great topic. You touch on an issue I hadn't considered either. I tend to think once we've finished the guitars and sealed everything off, they should be safe for the end user, right?
But maybe not as you're pointing out. Perhaps a decent level of prudence on our end and a warning to the potential end user is in order such that hyper-sensitive individuals might want to carefully consider if playing a wood instrument is for them?
Just an FYI for fellow woodworkers: While not generally used for guitar building, some palette wood is very dangerous to use for anything, including burning. Pallets with an MB stamp have been treated with a highly toxic pesticide which can be necessary in certain regions of the world where there are pests that can't be eliminated by heat treatments. You should never use pallets with a MB stamp for any home project nor should they be burned.
That's crazy! Thanks for sharing this.
Outstanding topic very interesting. Wood alergic reaction never heard that before. Learn something new everyday :)
Of all things cherry makes my lungs burn like crazy, even with a particle mask on.
Great video, as always. Thank you for the amount of time and detail you put into your videos and builds.
I’ve had skin reactions and red eyes when using cocobolo and claro walnut.
What you didn't mention was that the overwhelming number of allergic reactions would come from wood in it's raw form and from the creation of dust while machining. In a sealed state under finish, it is highly unlikely to cause a reaction. I live in an old house clad in asbestos sheeting. Unless I disturb it and create dust, it poses no risk .
Having sid all that; I am in Australia and made guitars. I have not considered Merbau, as it is usually a wood that is sourced from Pacific countries and their fast growing rainforest trees. I have used it in construction, and it has a tendency to twist quite a bit. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on it's use or suitability. 💜💜💜💜 Sarah xx
Lots of good info you shared in the video. Thanks!
I have hyper reactive airway disease and some woods bother me while others don't. My reactions seem to be hit or miss. Sometimes nothing and other times it's annoying with lots of sneezing and itchy eyes. I mostly use hand tools, to keep the dust down.
I'm hoping to build my first ukulele soon so I guess I'll see how I respond to the African mahogany, sitka spruce and rosewood bridge and fingerboard as I progress through the process. I'm planning on wearing a mask when working the woods and also while sanding to minimize any potential respiratory allergic reactions. I'll definitely keep an eye out for any skin/eye issues as well.
I have an Irish flute made of cocobolo. It's a gorgeous instrument and I bought it before I knew there could be potential respiratory issues. There have been no issues at all with me playing it so far. I'm definitely more concerned with using cocobolo in its raw form than its finished state.
I have noticed that poplar makes me itch like crazy.
Hi Chris.... I wouldn't be too worried about allergic reactions to wood on a finished instrument. The issue with most allergens is the availability for interaction with skin, respiratory mucosa, and mucous membranes.... when working with the raw wood there is certainly a high likelihood of the dust particles causing a reaction... but once the guitar has been effectively sealed with some type impermeable finish, there should be very little chance of reacting to the wood. You are at much greater risk of an allergic reaction than your customers will be.
In truth, I'm not too worried personally about contact reactions. However, I have had folks tell me they had reactions just touching certain woods.
You may not think you have a reaction, but I notice that many woodworkers I talk to have a “smokers” voice (including yourself). I have a constant cough, I don’t believe it’s cancerous, but it’s annoying. I resist wearing a mask because I would probably not enjoy woodworking enough to continue with the hobby. I avoid the “toxic” woods, but I still have the cough.
I have no issues whatsoever. I’m 60 years old and still run marathons and compete in Ironman triathlons.
But skin irritation when sawing a wood is not new to me. It dryes the skin and causes severe skin rash for me.
The most dangerous kind of wood is wooddust if inhaled, not its solid form.
There is also the maniac chasing you with a Maple or an Ash baseball bat!
They were spraying picknic tables with parquet to keep bugs,from eating them, great for the children at the parks right.🤣👍🇺🇸
Speaking of wood... I'm in the Denver area looking for a good place to get some maple and walnut for a guitar build. Any suggestions?
New information to me. I’m only allergic to hard work and stupid people. I’m lucky I guess.
Haven't had anything unusual happen yet with any exotic or any type of wood at all.
But I can say freshly cut Purpleheart smells like butt 🤢Maybe I got a barf allergy.