Nasty Allergy to Santso Rosewood (I think)
Andy Bolam
Been turning for about 3 years now, with no problems, until last
week................
I started itching on the chin and then BAM, a few days later, I'm all up in
blisters, bright red puffy neck (think you're getting the message I ain't
too pretty right now!!), web in between fingers all blistered, which finally
drew me to the conclusion it was turning something that I reacted against
(as opposed to changing my washing powder / aftershave, etc, which was the
Doc's first thoughts)..............
Anyway, I've heard Santos Rosewood (amongst others) can cause allergic
reactions in some people. Anyone else had anthing like this with this or
other timbers? It was the first time I'd worked with that paericular wood,
so it seems to much of a coincidence for that not to be the culprit.
I'm thinking about a powered respirator (Racal / Record Power (UK)), but I'm
sure there are more. Anyone got any advice / comments on powered ones they'd
recommend, or just info, would be greatly appreciated.
Afraid I'm out of my workshop for the next week or so until this clears up,
so I'll be spending more time looking at the 'Woody' Newsgroups.
Cheers
AJ
Ralph Fedorak
like it was sunburned (including around the nose and mouth) even though I was
wearing a dust mask. My hands were red and itched like **** on the palms and
between the fingers. Since I used to work in shorts my legs suffered as well.
The reaction I experienced convinced me that a respirator was the only way to go
along with a lab coat and a dust collection system. I no longer turn any wood
without any of these things. When sanding Rosewood or any of the toxic woods I
also wear surgical gloves (not looking for any opinions on this.).
I suggest the use of a respirator for anybody working with wood, especially in
dusty conditions, regardless of the toxicity of the wood.
Ralph Fedorak
Fort McMurray, Ab.
Adrien
severe a reaction to the wood, I think you'd be wise to give it away or sell
it. Subsequent reactions may be more severe. And while you can dress up like
an anthrax inspector, any leaks in the uniform mean you'll have the dust in
contact with your skin once more. At some point allergic reactions can be
life-threatening. Why take chances when there are so many other woods out
there? rosewoods, cocobolo are notorious for this.
Bill Day
>reactions in some people. Anyone else had anthing like this with this or
>other timbers? It was the first time I'd worked with that paericular wood,
>so it seems to much of a coincidence for that not to be the culprit.
both Rosewood and 'Santos' Rosewood can cause reactions in some people.
What is referred to as Santos Rosewood is usually Macherium
schleroxylon, and is NOT a true Rosewood..(it is also called Morado,
Caviuna and Bolivian Rosewood)...
I am allergic to 'some' rosewoods.....VIOLENTLY in the case of Cocobolo,
less with Indian and Honduras,,,etc...down to almost nothing with
Tulipwood...so each person MUST learn and be careful until they know.
I am fortunate that when I was given some 'Morado', I had just read an
old article in Fine Woodworking listing rosewoods and explaining the
situation, and naming 'Macherium' as a sometimes problem.
I went to the store that sold the 'Morado' and asked what it
was..."Ummm..it's Morado", they said. "No", I mean what genus &
species!?", says I. "Ummm...we don't know. we just get it from the
dealer"......"Well", says I ,"How do you know it's Morado?"......."Oh,
because when we order Morado, that's what they send us!!"
Anyway, I did NOT turn it, and still have the piece of timber, which
does seem to be Macherium spp.....I no longer buy much for that dealer
who makes almost NO attempt to know whether they are selling Rosewood,
false Rosewood...or has any idea whether they should warn customer about
certain woods..
(I lost 2 weeks to my one experience with Cocobolo...I hope you have it
a bit easier)
.....................
remove BALDERDASH for email reply
Bill Rubenstein
You are right and have saved me the trouble of writing a lot of stuff.
As you said, Morado is not a real rosewood because it is not a dalbergia. But,
I've heard of folks who are allergic to it. Probably, statistically, the
dalbergias are the worst for the number of folks who have allergies. I'm not
allergic to any of them as far as I know and I work with green Honduras
rosewood, green cocobolo and green African blackwood regularly. I don't work
with morado because I don't like it very much. But, I'm very allergic to
lacewood -- also called silky oak -- many people are. For any kind of wood on
the planet, you can find a person who is allergic to it.
When you buy wood at the retail level, you may or may not get what the label
says you are getting. In some cases, there are several different species which
are marketed under a single 'retail' name. And, take my word for it, the sales
people at the store usually haven't a clue.
You can take a look at our web site for some information about a number of
woods -- www.hibdonhardwood.com. You will find a link to technical specs on the
page. BTW, this is not a commercial -- we are importers and wholesalers and
usually we will not sell retail. Since we import a number of species as logs
or cants, I get the chance to turn them green regularly and this is when you
are most likely to have problems, I'd guess.
Bill R
"Bill Day" <extreeBA...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:rtjn0ucmqdv58erdd...@4ax.com...
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Lyn J. Mangiameli
I, for one, am "green" with envy. (sorry)
Lyn
Bill Day
>When you buy wood at the retail level, you may or may not get what the label
>says you are getting. In some cases, there are several different species which
>are marketed under a single 'retail' name. And, take my word for it, the sales
>people at the store usually haven't a clue.
>
>
>
>
yep....there a couple of stores in this area which are getting a little
education, because several members of the IWCS (International Wood
Collectors Society) frequent them and regularly bug them about having
correct information, as well as interesting woods. I hate vague,
careless attention to the facts, especially when it may actually
contribute to problems for someone with allergies. Inventing names just
to increase sales is cheap and silly. (One of the latest I see is
"Ambrosia" Maple to describe certain spalting patterns....I suspect we
are stuck with that one, but it is not nearly as bad as total deception
about the true species!.....(whether deliberate or thru ignorance)
Darrell Feltmate
We are "stuck" with ambrosia maple as a name because it "is"
descriptive. It refers to the patterns caused by infestation of the
ambrosia beetle. Personally, I look for it. It has some delightful
color.
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS, Canada
Bill Day
....well, I'll be durned....*grin*...ya' learn something everyday!...I
somehow had let that connection slip right by me!...ok, that even makes
a certain sense!...When it is useful AND descriptive, even old
curmudgeons like me can adapt. (And yes, it is a nice pattern/color
combo)......thanks!
........................