Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 06, 2007 06:43pm | #1

   Most likely it is the cocobolo, The rosewood family is famous for causing allergic reaction, skin rash and respiratory problems. Other species can effect certain individuals, also. Sounds like you should stay away from the cocobolo.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   Lataxe | Jan 06, 2007 08:45pm | #2

   Ron,

   I have a similar reaction (stuffed up sinus) to you, with one or two species.  Rather than avoid them I do these things:

   * Wear a Trend airshield or similar, which covers your whole face rather than just your mouth.  (Dust can still get on your face with a mask and then you breathe it in as soon as the mask comes off).  Wear a hat too, as your hair can hold loads of dust.

   * Use barrier cream on your hands and wash them straight after you finish.  Again, you can easily transfer the dust to your face from your hands.  Also, you might get dermatitis if you get very sensitive to a particular dust.

   * Keep a smock for wearing when working with the problem woods.  Wash it a lot.

   * Use one of those micro-filter air cleaners hung over where you work (as well as the conventional dust extractor with the tool).  It's the fine dust remaining in the air that will get you, when you think its OK to take the mask off.  Some people recommend having the air filtration unit lowdown under the tool, so it doesn't pull dusty air upwards to face level.

   * Clean (vacuum) all around your lathe or other tool after the job is done, to get rid of all the residual dust coating the surfaces where you have been working.  If you don't you will probably pick some up later.

   All this is a bit tedious to do but means I can use the iroko, sapele and so forth without suffering.

   Lataxe

1. 
   ronjensen | Jan 13, 2007 05:11pm | #3

   Thank you for taking the time to answer my alergy question.
   As it turned out, I had an appointment with my ENT doctor the day after I had asked the question. My problem was brought on by an unrelated situation, but I got me looking around for possible causes related to dust control. I was at the local woodcraft store and they had a list of toxic woods posted on the wall. So I came home and googled toxic woods and low and behold, Cocobolo is one of the most toxic woods. So at least I learned something.
   thanks again for your time.
   By the way I read your little back and forth with the kid from UK.
   Still would like to konw what the artical was about.
   ron