Is it safe to use walnut oil as a finish on a wood rattle for an infant? I know that walnut can be a problem for people who are allergic to walnut. The child is a nephew who isn’t ready for the rattle yet, but will be soon.
Any ideas where I can find out from experts?
Thanks,
Alan – planesaw
Replies
This is a question that I wouldn't dare try to answer. I would be inclined to ask an MD Allergist. Some peoples reactions to Walnuts, Peanuts and other nuts can be extremely volatile. Get medical advice.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I can't answer about walnut oil, and it is possibly more of an issue than would be the case with most finishes. Walnut oil is only a semi-drying oil, and may not develop a full cure. But other finishes, such as a oil/varnish mix, or a wiping varnish would both cure to such an extent that after 30 days you can be sure they would not be harmful to kids. No particular advantages in using walnut oil otherwise. I doubt you could see the difference between using it and using an oil varnish mixture.
I can't answer about walnut oil, and it is possibly more of an issue than would be the case with most finishes. Walnut oil is only a semi-drying oil, and may not develop a full cure. But other finishes, such as a oil/varnish mix, or a wiping varnish would both cure to such an extent that after 30 days you can be sure they would not be harmful to kids. No particular advantages in using walnut oil otherwise. I doubt you could see the difference between using it and using an oil varnish mixture.
Update. Just did an MSDS search on Walnut Oil, No health hazards noted, considered safe by Dept. of Labor. But Personally I would still check with an MD, Allergist.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Walnuts send my wife into anaphylactic shock. Allergies to walnuts & peanuts are not uncommon and can have serious consequences.
I'm with the others here - seek the advice of a professional.
Rennie
A man is a fool if he drinks before he reaches the age of 50, and a fool if he doesn't afterward.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Leave it unfinished. Or use shellac and re-do as needed for saliva.
Walnut oil should be safe for most people. Some people cook with it, same as peanut oil (just more expensive). HOWEVER allergies can have dire consequences. You can consult a specialist, but your pediatric doc will probably not have a clue. If you have the time and money, you could get the tyke tested for allergies I suppose, but It would be much simpler to avoid food oils and use mineral oil for now if you are worried. IMHO.
edit: Yeah, natural. Saliva will melt shellac pretty fast (I hear they use it to coat jelly beans... "confectioners glaze"??)
Edited 9/15/2006 2:26 pm ET by spf
Edited 9/15/2006 2:29 pm ET by spf
people have mentioned the allergy thing... along those lines... We have a 2 1/2 year old and she wasn't supposed to eat peanut butter until she was 2 (I think) and she still can't have honey (until she's 3). Part of that's the fact that we have a history of allergies, part of that is just the ultra-safe way people are instructed to raise kids these days.
My gut says avoid the walnut oil if it's a young child, just for peace of mind.
Alan, you do not mention it but it might also be good to check out the wood you intend to use. I react to some timbers when turning and I don't even suck them.
I used to have grave concerns about walnut oil on children's toys. At one point, while surfing, I noticed a toy-maker who finished his toys in walnut oil, and I wrote him an email. He actually wrote to an allergy specialist at a local University to get clarification about any hazard (allergy-related) that might relate. The response from the specialist was that there should be no hazard. That the antigen would not be present in any threatening concentration. Further input from a pediatric allergist confirmed that purified oils would not have any detectable protein, which is where the allergen would be present.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks everyone for your input. Clearly this is both not a cut and dried issue, as well as one that may vary from person to person.
If anyone has anything to add, post it.
Thanks,
Alan - planesaw
Walnut oil
From what I've read refined oils do not have the protein that can cause problems for people with extreme allergies.
What makes this a tricky subject is the massive amount of differing opinions and information - even on this site there are no solid facts on the use of walnut oil.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled