Thread: Spalted wood.

What do you mean by a "reaction", is it via the nose, breath, skin ??

Spalting is not usually dangerous.
Like many things any possible danger depends on a bunch of things

What species of fungus is causing the spalting?
How advanced the spalting is? - spalted wood contains some decomposed wood and tends to make a lot more dust so you could be you are just getting a reaction to the extra wood dust rather than the from the fungus.
Like any allergy/fungal reaction some people are more sensitive to some types of fungus than others.

You could try a skin test get a spalted piece and rub it under one arm and a non splated piece and rub it under the other arm. This is tricker than it sounds because as soon as you cut a spalted piece it will contaminate everything around it , including you. Even a saw blade will cause contamination of other pieces. Maybe first thing one day drag a log outside and get yourself a clean chisel and chip away at a clean piece of wood and collect clean chips in a plastic bag. Then use the chisel to collect a few spalted chips in another bad. Have a shower and dress in clean clothes, then try the test - well you are welcome to try the test with no clothes on if you like and use a more sensitive part of your skin

I've milled some dozens of logs that have been spalted but have not experienced any noticeable reaction. However I do react to Silky Oak but that is another story.

Even without spalting, many woods can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, including oak. My son reacted strongly on his arms to some oak (robur) that he just carried from a trailer to my workshop for me.

Timber Health Hazards

Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database

Fungi add an additional problem for some people.

I'm allergic (respiratory) to almost all moulds, which are created by fungi.