Marble wood Reaction

[Charlie_W]

A turning friend of mine was turning a marblewood ice cream scoop handle before Christmas and had a reaction to it. She had on a face shield but no dust mask. She said normally, she does wear a mask. She started getting a tight feeling in her throat and began having trouble breathing. Her husband rushed her to the ER. She I is okay, bought a better mask(and uses it), and now has an Epipen.
She is very hesitant about turning now. Slowly and cautiously getting back to it.

 

[mark james]

For me - Padauk and Snakewook/Lacewood. Skin rashes that last for 3 weeks. No respiratory problems. I have a 1 hp jet dust collector, an overhead jet air filter, wear a full faceshield, but when its hot wear a t shirt vs my turning smock... So my arms are sometimes exposed from the elbows down. Good wood - my bad habits. :frown:

 

[thebillofwrites]

The last time I turned a piece of Mesquite I got some strange respiratory symptoms.
No other wood has ever bothered me.
I am hesitant to try it again just yet.

Bill

 

[jcm71]

My reaction comes from Cocobolo. The tissue around my eyes, top and bottom, dry out and feel like dried leather. Swelling is pretty good for two days or so. I look like a raccoon, except my mask is red.

 

[mark james]

www.wood_database.com

I use this a lot.

 

[nava1uni]

If you have any type of reaction then be careful. The first few times are called sensitizing reactions. After these the next reaction can be life threatening so you should be careful.

 

[carlmorrell]

Pen turning made me really sick. I had to quit. After several swelled up eyes, rashes that were just gross, years of immunotherapy, and staying away from it for a decade, is it any wonder why I prefer to turn plastics?

 

[Nico Bernard]

The reactions you get to the wood dust are in most cases toxic reactions. Wood especially from the Cocobolo family contains alkaloids which can cause poising. Eyes can swell close and you can get an asthmatic attack. Allergic reactions will be more skin reactions like itching swelling almost like mosquito bites. If you use an antihistamine like Benydryl it will help for the itching. The best way is to use a respirator and dust goggles to protect you from the wood dust. Remember the dust contain the poison – don't inhale it or get it on any mucus membranes like the eyes or mouth and nostrils.