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  1. #1
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    Default BAD WOODS - Timber health hazards

    Since no one else seems to want to kick off this forum I thought I'd jump in with an oldie but a really goodie.

    Below is link to some timber health hazards that I have had on my U-Beaut site since 1997 it is by no means comprehensive and if anyone feels they have something to contribute please feel free to do so in this thread and I will add the info when I get the time.

    Timber Health Hazards


    Cheers - Neil
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  3. #2
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    I wonder if teak will swell anything else in that neck of the woods ?
    Experienced in removing the tree from the furniture

  4. #3
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    Hi Neil

    What do you know about Makore?

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  5. #4
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    I'll add Oleander I have known of this since a kid greatly surprised at the number of schools and even pre-schools have them around.

    A short while ago I was given some of the above cut up for pen blanks and stuck in a plastic bag I was warned it MAY BE Oleander.
    This week I was sorting through my box of blanks and noticed that the blanks now had a sulphur powder looking substance to them.

    It has now all been disposed of

    July 23, 2014
    INFORMATION ON OLEANDER TOXICITY
    Most importantly - If you, or anyone/thing else, believes they have been in contact with any poisonous materials, contact your local Poison Control Center.
    The American Association of Poison Control Centers has a great website - www.aapcc.org - with information about all types of poisoning.
    For the Galveston Area, the Southeast Texas Poison Control Center's (STPCC) website is www.utmb.edu/setpc.
    To contact STPCC:

    Mailing address: UTMB, 3.112 Trauma Building, Galveston, Tx 77555-1175
    Emergency Numbers: (800)764-7661 (TX ONLY) and (409)765-1420
    Animal Poison Control Center - www.napcc.aspca.org (888)426-4435
    Oleanders contain a toxin called Cardenolide Glycosides. The toxin is mostly contained in the sap which is clear to slightly milky colored, and sticky. When ingested in certain quatities, this toxin can cause harm - and possibly death. The extremely bitter and nauseating taste of the sap (much like a rotten lemon) causes a mechanical reflex in the stomach which rejects and expels the vile substance. Although not impossible, a person or animal would have to have a strong stomach or no sense of taste for a dose of the toxin to be fatal.



    What can I do to avoid the a possible poisoning when working with Oleanders? Wash hands (and arms) thoroughly when finished working with the plant.

    Do not chew on any part of the plant. And do NOT use it as a skewer for food (or as a toothpick!).


    Are the fumes from burning Oleanders hazardous? Yes! The fumes from a burning Oleander is still very hazardous. Steer clear of the fumes and NEVER use the branches as firewood!

    What do I do if I accidently ingest some of the sap? Call the poison control center nearest you.
    What do I do if I see my pet chewing on the plant?Call your veterinarian immediately!
    What do I do if I see my pet chewing on the plant? Call your veterinarian immediately!



    What are some other poisonouse plants? Azaleas - Roman soldiers were poisoned from honey of azalea pontica.
    Rhododendrons - The poisonous compound is Actylandromdal found in the nectar, and produces depression of blood pressure, shock, and finally death

  6. #5
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    Tambootie is another one to ad to the list:
    The sap from a standing Tambootie tree is highly irritating to the skin. The wood and sawdust has also been reported to cause eye and skin irritation. In extreme cases, there have been reports of blindness resulting from occupational exposure to Tambootie’s sawdust. The smoke generated from burning the wood is also toxic, and has been known to contaminate meats cooked over such firewood, resulting in diarrhea.
    And Panga-Panga(African Wenge):
    Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, breathing Wengewood dust (closely related to Panga Panga) has been reported to cause central nervous system effects, irritation of the skin and eyes, and is a sensitizer. Also, Wenge splinters tend to take longer to heal and are more likely to go septic (get infected) than splinters from other woods.

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by wheelinround View Post
    I'll add Oleander I have known of this since a kid greatly surprised at the number of schools and even pre-schools have them around.
    ....
    Ever tried putting it in your mouth?
    You won't accidentally ingest it that is for sure.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers View Post
    Ever tried putting it in your mouth?
    You won't accidentally ingest it that is for sure.
    Not as such but accidentally as a kid between ages of 6 & 9 when I used to do gardening for neighbours and trimming the crap back you'd get sap on your hands yep smell is enough to let you know when its green. We had Sue's mum garden which had 3 or 4 plants which we took them out when our kids were born. Then when we moved to Tamworth we removed two in the front yard.

    When its dry until recently I have never known what it was like or if it was still a problem. When I was given the blanks a while back I had thought the smell familiar still very wet. After a few weeks it dawned on me what the smell was and the large blanks were disposed of then still wet. Its only while clearing out my 55ltr tub of pen blank off cuts I discovered the plastic bag with the remaining bits.

    I do not recall who gave it to me I hope they are ok.

  9. #8
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    Hi all,
    Many of the timbers on Neil's list I have used with little or no effect on me but that means nothing as with any foreign compound on the physical being some are effected badly others by a small degree then again others not at all. A friend of mine had a very serious reaction to Hoop pine a timber that we had both used on many occasions with no ill effects then on one turning job he had a very serious reaction indeed his eyes just about closed because of the swelling in his face and a nasty rash on both forearm's and hands never seen such a reaction before or since but it happened,so beware of all timber product's and use the best protection you can all the time.
    Regards Rod.

  10. #9
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    Love the link Neil ... had to go to web view as it does not show on tapatalk.

    You mentioned about going to mobile view in the browser but that option does not seem to be there for an iPad


    Dave the turning cowboy

    turning wood into art

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Gilbert View Post
    Hi all,
    Many of the timbers on Neil's list I have used with little or no effect on me but that means nothing as with any foreign compound on the physical being some are effected badly others by a small degree then again others not at all. A friend of mine had a very serious reaction to Hoop pine a timber that we had both used on many occasions with no ill effects then on one turning job he had a very serious reaction indeed his eyes just about closed because of the swelling in his face and a nasty rash on both forearm's and hands never seen such a reaction before or since but it happened,so beware of all timber product's and use the best protection you can all the time.
    Regards Rod.
    At times it is not the timber but what has been applied to the timber, either intentionally or unintentionally.

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Gilbert View Post
    Hi all,
    A friend of mine had a very serious reaction to Hoop pine a timber that we had both used on many occasions with no ill effects then on one turning job he had a very serious reaction indeed his eyes just about closed because of the swelling in his face and a nasty rash on both forearm's and hands never seen such a reaction before or since but it happened,so beware of all timber product's and use the best protection you can all the time.
    Regards Rod.
    Sometimes it depends on individual's particular sensitivities or allergies, sometimes it can be a cumulative effort of regular exposure, sometimes it is a plant with a good self defence mechanism that effects everything that attacks it.

    Father was a builder in Gippsland for many years. His preferred joiner for windows etc was completely allergic to Western Red Cedar and would not allow it in his workshop. He exhibited virtually every symptom listed for Red Cedar in UBeaut's chart. Neither his sons or his staff had issues with it, including people who had worked with it for many years elsewhere. He had worked with it a fair bit in his earlier years but developed complete intolerance to it due to accumulated exposure, similar to what some people experience with epoxies etc.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  13. #12
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    Mackay Cedar tops my list.

  14. #13
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    Smile Timber Flooring Perth

    Hey Neil and all,

    I am new on this forum and this is my first post. The post seems to be very informative. I would thank all of you for sharing such a good piece of information.

  15. #14
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    Default Thank you

    Quote Originally Posted by ubeaut View Post
    Since no one else seems to want to kick off this forum I thought I'd jump in with an oldie but a really goodie.

    Below is link to some timber health hazards that I have had on my U-Beaut site since 1997 it is by no means comprehensive and if anyone feels they have something to contribute please feel free to do so in this thread and I will add the info when I get the time.

    Timber Health Hazards


    Cheers - Neil
    Thanks for that post I was wondering where to find this info.

    Thanks again

  16. #15
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    Default SPOTTED GUM - A CAUTION

    The list shows only dermatitis as a possible problem with Spotted Gum. I would like to add a caution for nasal/sinus irritation, and possibly persistent coughing. After spending 65 + hours making a piece of furniture from this timber, mainly wearing a respirator, I had these symptoms for weeks. I would certainly take more precautions in future.

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