I’ve been told that black locust sanding dust can cause greater or lesser degrees of respritory dicomfort or distress varying with the individual, as with most woods. This question has to do with skin contact.
I’ve been turning quite a bit of black locust, green, the past few days. This evening I notice a not really unpleasant but none the less prominent burning sensation on the back of my left hand. This would be the first place that shavings land as they come off the workpiece in the lathe. I don’t recall having done anything else today that would have given rise to this so I’m wondering if black locust, particularly green wood, has caused anyone any displeasure from prolonged skin contact?
This is beautiful stuff but doesn’t smell even a fraction as good as it looks! (grin)
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Replies
Dennis, I don't recall seeing it on the list of woods that cause problems, however, I wouldn't be surprised. Any wood that has something in it that can be half buried in the ground and still not decay for 50 years, has got to have some chemicals that your body does not like. The next time you turn something from it will really tell if you have developed an allergy. Too bad!
On the other hand, turning a green wood that smells like black locust would be akin to taking a shower while standing close behind a large farm animal. My last turning was cottonwood stump. It stinks even worse, but is probably less likely to have any harmful chemicals.
Hi Keith -That's the way it was put about the potential toxicity of the dust from the black locust: that most all woods that are highly decay/insect resistant are usually the most bothersome. I don't like wearing gloves around the lathe but I think I will next time I'm working the stuff. ...........
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Hey Dennis,I haven't experienced any problem working with green, black locust, but I do know the blossoms that drop in the Spring/Early Summer will kill most any vegetation that they land on. Allelopathy, I think it's called (how's that for showing off?).As far as the smell; after we loaded up the SUV with the logs and balks that you gave us, Kris and I headed for home, but we put off unloading until the next day. Next morning, when we opened it up, ...well, it's a good thing that you weren't there to hear the unlady like description of what I had done to her car. Fortunately, a day's airing out did the trick, but she insisted on detailing it anyway.Thanks again for the wood, and I've picked up the materials for your bow, so I'll be starting on it this weekend.Tom
Edited 7/1/2005 3:24 pm ET by tms
Wow! Sorry about the smell in the car. After smelling it almost every night now since you left, I can imagine what it did to a closed auto during a day's time! Please convey my apologies to Chris. I really didn't know it had that kind of ..... aroma.This eveing early I decided to "process" some more of what was left - there was a really big burl on that long log (notice how I failed to point that out while you were here! (grin). I bring this up because I took the time to look it over before hacking into it with the chain saw. Lucky I did. There were a lot of little stones from that pea gravel where it was laying. I sure hope none of the pieces you took with you had stones in it.Really eager to see how the bow turns out. It's been years since I shot that old Bear semi-recurve I mentioned. Will need to find a good archery shop up here to by ammo! Know of any good sources up here? Or are you going to branch out into arrow making as well? (grin)...........
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Almost any wood can cause some persons to react to it... As most other things around the home and shop...
Most wood do not bother me.. EXCEPT.. if I sweat and it gets on me and stays there for a while... I can work the same wood and if I'm not sweating I do not remember having a problem..... Not sure but seems that way...
I have several cats and dogs... JUST ONE of the cats make me sneeze and itch....
Guess which one... The one that likes me and comes around...
Reactions to wood are somewhat individualized, but some woods cause more widespread symptoms than others. I have a sensitivity to western red cedar.
Black locust is listed as one of the more potent irritants, though more so from the bark than the wood. http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/roche/rec.wood.misc/wood.toxic
Generally, sensitivities only get worse with time, so you should avoid as much exposure as practical to put off the day when it becomes so irritating you could not work with it. Fingerless gloves would provide some protection, especially to the back of your hand, without much of a safety risk around the lathe. Launder the gloves after use. Wash your hands and arms after working with the wood. Maybe wear full gloves while stripping the bark off, and sweep up and discard the bark while still wearing gloves.
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