You will find below a chart of several varieties of wood species, accompanied by their reported properties and effects. You will note that the information on the chart was gathered from several sources When viewing the chart, please keep the following in mind:
If you don’t see a certain wood on the chart, it should not lead you to the conclusion that it is entirely safe to use. It just means that any adverse reactions have not been reported as of the printing o this chart. (It is possible that the wood is obscure or unknown.) It is helpful, if you have been positively diagnosed that you are indeed allergic to a certain species of wood, to take the time to research related species of woods There are many times that a wood in a certain genus will share similar allergy complexes with other related woods. This can result in cross reactions.
Any type of wood dust can be extremely hazardous to your long term health. This chart merely pointsout the specific woods that will aggravate symptoms through an allergic reation, or a wood that is simply outright toxic. Keep in mind that ALL woods will produce a fine dust when they are worked. This dust will in turn damage your lungs and can create a series of other adverse health issues as well.
In spite of the extensive list of woods that you see below, there are very few woods that are toxic in and of themselves. What the problem becomes is that the woods have the potential to cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. The risk is greatly reduced, but not completely eliminated, with the application of a food safe finish. In the end, keep in mind, that using any type of wood can be a calculated risk. The question boils down to this, “How much of a risk am I willing to take?”
| Species of Wood | Reaction(s) | Affected Area(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Abura | Irritant, Nausea, Dizziness |  |
| African Blackwood | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| African Boxwood | Irritant, Headache, Asthma |
|
| Afrormosia | Irritant, Nervous System Effects, Asthma, Septic Splinters |
|
| Afzelia | Irritant, Sneezing |
|
| Agba | Irritant |
|
| Ailanthus | Irritant |
|
| Albizia | Irritant, Nausea, Bloody Nose, Conjunctivitis |
|
| Alder | Irritant |
|
| Alligator Juniper | Irritant |
|
| Alpine Ash | Irritant |
|
| Amboyna | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Andiroba | Irritant, Sneezing |
|
| Araracanga | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Ash | Irritant |
|
| Ash - Mountain | Irritant |
|
| Australian Blackwood | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma |
|
| Australian Cashew Nut | Irritant, Skin Lesions, Bloody Nose |
|
| Avodire | Irritant, Bloody Nose, Internal Bleeding, Asthma |
|
| Balsa | Irritant |
|
| Bamboo | Irritant |
|
| Birch | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea |
|
| Black Cherry | Coughing, Dizziness |
|
| Black Locust | Irritant, Nausea |
|
| Blackbean | Irritant |
|
| Bloodwood | Irritant, Thirst, Salivation, Nausea |
|
| Bloodwood - Red | Irritant |
|
| Blue Gum | Irritant |
|
| Blue Mahoe | Sneezing |
|
| Bocote | Irritant |
|
| Bosse | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, Headache |
|
| Box - White | Irritant, Rash |
|
| Boxwood | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Brazilwood | Irritant, Headache, Nausea, Swelling, Lesions |
|
| Brigalow | Irritant |
|
| Brownheart | Irritant |
|
| Bubinga | Irritant, Lesions |
|
| Buckthorn | Irritant |
|
| Bulletwood | Irritant |
|
| Camphor | Irritant, Asthma, Headache, Dizziness |
|
| Cashew | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Catalpa | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Alaskan Yellow | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Aromatic Red | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Atlantic White | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Australian Red | Irritant, Asthma, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, NPC |
|
| Cedar - Incense | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Lebanon | Irritant, Asthma, Headache, Respiratory Issues |
|
| Cedar - Northern White | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Cedar - Port Orford | Irritant, Congestion, Asthma, Diuresis |
|
| Cedar - Spanish | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Southern Red | Irritant |
|
| Cedar - Western Red | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, Nervous System Effects, NPC |
|
| Chechen | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Chestnut - Chinese | Irritant |
|
| Chestnut - Sweet | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Chico Zapote | Irritant |
|
| Chinaberry | Irritant, Headache |
|
| Cocobolo | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea, Asthma, Conjunctivitis |
|
| Cocuswood | Irritant |
|
| Coolibah | Irritant |
|
| Copaia | Irritant |
|
| Crow's Ash | Irritant |
|
| Cuban Mahogany | Irritant |
|
| Cypress | Sensitizer |
|
| Cypress - Australian | Irritant, Swelling Eyes, Asthma, Conjunctivitis, NPC |
|
| Cypress - Gowen | Irritant |
|
| Cypress - Leyland | Irritant |
|
| Cypress - Mediterranean | Irritant, Rash, Headache |
|
| Cypress - Mexican | Irritant |
|
| Cypress - Monterey | Irritant |
|
| Dahoma | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Dead Finish | Irritant, Septic Splinters |
|
| Djohar | Irritant, Skin Discoloration, Keratitis |
|
| Douglas - Fir | Irritant, Dizziness, Nausea, Septic Splinters |
|
| Ebony | Irritant, Sensitizer, Conjuctivitis |
|
| Ebony - Brown | Irritant |
|
| Ebony - Macassar | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Ekki | Irritant |
|
| Elm | Irritant, Sensitizer, NPC |
|
| European Beech | Irritant, Sensitizer, NPC |
|
| Eyoum | Irritant |
|
| Fir | Irritant |
|
| Fir - Balsam | Irritant |
|
| Freijo | Irritant, Sensitizer, Thirst |
|
| Garapa | Irritant |
|
| Gedu Nohor | Irritant |
|
| Goncalo Alves | Sensitizer |
|
| Grass Tree | Irritant |
|
| Greenheart | Sensitizer, Coughing, Septic Splinters, Cardiac Problems |
|
| Guanacaste | Irritant |
|
| Gum - Lemon Scented | Irritant |
|
| Gum - Spotted | Irritant |
|
| Gum - Yellow | Irritant |
|
| Hackberry | Irritant |
|
| Hemlock - Eastern | Irritant |
|
| Hemlock - Mountain | Irritant |
|
| Hemlock - Western | Irritant, NPC |
|
| Hophornbeam | Irritant |
|
| Hornbeam | Irritant |
|
| Idigbo | Irritant |
|
| Imbuia | Irritant |
|
| Indian Beech | Irritant |
|
| Indian Laurel | Irritant |
|
| Ipe | Irritant, Headache, Asthma, Vision Impairment |
|
| Iroko | Irritant, Headache, Asthma, Dizziness, HP |
|
| Ironwood - Desert | Irritant, Sneezing, Coughing |
|
| Jacareuba | Irritant, Fainting, Insomnia, Kidney Problems |
|
| Jarrah | Irritant |
|
| Jatoba | Irritant |
|
| Jelutong | Irritant |
|
| Juniper - Phoenician | Irritant, Headache, Nausea |
|
| Karri | Irritant |
|
| Katalox | Irritant |
|
| Keruing | Irritant |
|
| Kingwood | Irritant, Sensitizer, Conjunctivitis |
|
| Koto | Irritant |
|
| Laburnum | Toxic if Ingested |
|
| Lacewood | Irritant |
|
| Larch | Irritant |
|
| Leadwood | Irritant |
|
| Lebbeck | Irritant |
|
| Lignum Vitae | Irritant |
|
| Limba | Irritant, Hive, Spetic Splinters, Asthma, Bloody Nose & Gums |
|
| Machiche | Irritant |
|
| Magnolia | Asthma, Runny Nose |
|
| Mahogany - African | Irritant, Sensitizer, NPC |
|
| Mahogany - Honduran | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea, Dizziness, Asthma, HP |
|
| Mahogany - Santos | Irritant |
|
| Makore | Irritant, Nausea, Headache, Dizziness, Nervous System Problems |
|
| Mango | Irritant |
|
| Mansonia | Irritant, Sensitizer, Bloody Nose, Septic Splinters, Cardiac Problems |
|
| Maple | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, HP |
|
| Maple - Queensland | Irritant |
|
| Marupa | Irritant |
|
| Meranti | Irritant |
|
| Merbau | Irritant |
|
| Mesquite | Irritant |
|
| Messmate | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Milky Mangrove | Toxic Sap - Irritant, Temporary Blindness, Headache |
|
| Mimosa | Irritant |
|
| Missanda | Irritant, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea |
|
| Moabi | Irritant |
|
| Molopangady | Irritant |
|
| Monkeypod | Irritant |
|
| Mora | Irritant |
|
| Movingui | Irritant |
|
| Muhuhu | Irritant |
|
| Mulga | Toxic Wood - Irritant, Headache, Nausea |
|
| Muninga | Irritant, Asthma, Bronchitis |
|
| Myrtle | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Myrtle - Tasmanian | Irritant, Asthma, Bronchitis |
|
| Narra | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| New Zealand White Pine | Irritant |
|
| Norway Spruce | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Nyatoh | Irritant |
|
| Oak | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, NPC |
|
| Obeche | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, Hives |
|
| Okoume | Irritant, Cough, Asthma, Conjunctivitis |
|
| Oleander | Toxic Plant - Irritant, Cardiac Problems |
|
| Olive | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Opepe | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nervous System Effects |
|
| Osage Orange | Irritant |
|
| Osage Orange - Argentine | Irritant |
|
| Padauk | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea, Asthma |
|
| Palm | Irritant, Constitutional Effects |
|
| Parinari | Irritant |
|
| Partridgewood | Irritant, Hives, Coughing |
|
| Pau Ferro | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Pau Marfim | Irritant |
|
| Pau Rosa | Irritant |
|
| Pau Santo | Irritant |
|
| Peroba Rosa | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea, Asthma |
|
| Persimmon | Irritant |
|
| Pheasantwood | Cavities in the wood can contain powder that is an irritant |
|
| Pine | Irritant, Runny Nose, Asthma |
|
| Pine - Huon | Irritant |
|
| Pistachio | Irritant |
|
| Poison Walnut | Toxic Sap - Irritant, Corrosive, Asthma, Nausea, Dizziness |
|
| Poplar | Irritant, Blisters, Asthma, Coughing |
|
| Primavera | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Purpleheart | Irritant, Sensitizer, Nausea |
|
| Quebracho | Irritant, Nausea, NPC |
|
| Quina | Irritant |
|
| Ramin | Irritant, Septic Splinters, Asthma |
|
| Redwood | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma, HP |
|
| Rengas | Strong Sap - Irritant, Blisters, Ulcers, Fever, Constitutional Effects |
|
| Rhodesian Teak | Irritant |
|
| Rose Butternut | Irritant, Conjunctivitis |
|
| Rosewood | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma |
|
| Rosewood - Brazilian | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Rosewood - East Indian | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Rosewood - Siamese | Irritant, Sensitizer, Rash, Hives |
|
| Rubberwood | Irritant, Sensitizer (Latex Allergy) |
|
| Saffron - Heart | Irritant, Septic Splinters, Lung Congestion |
|
| Sassafras | Direct Toxin - Sensitizer, Nausea, Respiratory Problems, NPC |
|
| Sapele | Irritant, Sneezing |
|
| Satinwood - East Indian | Irritant, Sensitizer, Headache, Diarrhea |
|
| Satinwood - West Indian | Irritant, Sensitizer, Diarrhea, Rash, Blisters |
|
| Shittim | Irritant, Coughing |
|
| Silky Oak - Northern | Irritant |
|
| Silky Oak - Southern | Blister Sap - Irritant, Eye Inflammation |
|
| Sissoo | Irritant |
|
| Slash Pine | Irritant, Asthma |
|
| Snakewood | Irritant |
|
| Sneezewood | Strong Oils - Irritant, Sneezing |
|
| Spruce | Irritant, Sensitizer |
|
| Sucupira | Irritant |
|
| Sumac | Irritant, Blistering Bark |
|
| Sweetgum | Irritant |
|
| Tambootie | Direct Toxin - Irritant, Diarrhea, Blindness |
|
| Tatajuba | Irritant |
|
| Teak | Irritant, Sensitizer, Rash, Nausea, Asthma, Conjunctivtis, HP |
|
| Thuya | Irritant |
|
| Turpentine | Irritant, Swelling |
|
| Tzalam | Respiratory Problems |
|
| Utile | Irritant |
|
| Verawood | Sneezing |
|
| Walnut - African | Irritant, Systemic Effects, NPC |
|
| Walnut - Black | Irritant, Sensitizer, NPC |
|
| Walnut - English | Irritant, NPC |
|
| Wamara | Irritant |
|
| Wenge | Irritant, Sensitizer, Septic Splinters, Nervous System Effects |
|
| Western Hemlock | Irritant, NPC |
|
| Western Juniper | Irritant |
|
| White Peroba | Irritant, Sensitizer, Asthma |
|
| Willow | Sensitizer, Nausea, NPC |
|
| Yew | Direct Toxin - Irritant, Nausea |
|
| Yellowheart | Irritant |
|
| Zebrawood | Sensitizer |
|
| Ziricote | Possible Cross Reactions |
|
