by Eric Meier
“Not to omit any one of them, the yew is similar to these other trees in general appearance . . . It is an ascertained fact that travellers’ vessels, made in Gaul of this wood, for the purpose of holding wine, have caused the death of those who used them.”
–Pliny the Elder, from “Naturalis Historia,” ca. 77 AD
Looking at the above quotation, (taken from a writing nearly two thousand years old), ought to bring—at the very least—a small bit of respect and attention to the matter of safety as it pertains to wood toxicity. If this subject has been known and reported as “ascertained fact” since ancient history, how much more ought we to take heed in modern times, considering that we have so many more well-developed means of communication and testing?
Wood Toxicity and Allergen Chart
Below you’ll find a chart of various wood species, along with their reported effects and properties. The information on this chart has been compiled from many sources, with references given at the bottom.
But just because any given wood is not listed on the chart, does not mean that it is completely safe to use, but simply that adverse reactions have not been reported as of yet. One helpful thing to do if you have confirmed that you’re allergic to a specific species of wood, is to check for related species. You can check any other related species on the page Browse the Database By Scientific Name. Here, you’ll see wood species grouped by genus, and you’ll be able to see if there are any other wood species closely related to the one which you’re allergic to.
For example, Cocobolo is in the Dalbergia genus, and is also closely related to other woods such as Kingwood, Tulipwood, Honduran Rosewood, etc. You’ll find many related species that you may not have known existed, such as: Padauk is related to Kiaat; Bubinga is related to Ovangkol, etc. Also, you may notice two wood types that sound like they’re related, such as Black Cherry (Prunus genus) and Brazilian Cherry (Hymenaea genus), but they are actually quite unrelated.
| Wood Species |
Reaction |
Area(s) Affected
|
Potency |
| Abura | irritant, nausea, and giddiness |  |
 |
| African Blackwood | irritant, sensitizer |   |
 |
| African Boxwood | irritant, headache, asthma | |
|
| Afrormosia | irritant, nervous system effects, asthma, splinters go septic | |
|
| Afzelia | irritant, sneezing | |
 |
| Agba | irritant | |
|
| Albizzia (Albizia genus) | irritant, nausea, conjunctivitis, giddiness, nose bleeds | |
|
| Alder (Alnus genus) | irritant | |
 |
| Alligator Juniper | irritant | |
|
| Alpine Ash | irritant | |
|
| Amboyna | irritant, asthma | |
|
| Andiroba | irritant, sneezing | |
|
| Ash (Fraxinus genus) | irritant | |
|
| Australian Blackwood | irritant, sensitizer, asthma | |
|
| Australian Cashew Nut | irritant, skin lesions, nosebleeds | |
 |
| Avodire | irritant, nose bleeds, internal bleeding, asthma | |
|
| Balsa | irritant | |
|
| Balsam Fir | sensitizer (from bark/needles) | |
|
| Bamboo | irritant | |
|
| Birch (Betula genus) | irritant, sensitizer, nausea | |
|
| Black Cherry | wheezing, giddiness | |
|
| Black Locust | irritant, nausea | |
|
| Blackbean | irritant | |
|
| Bloodwood | excessive thirst, salivation, nausea | N/A | |
| Bluegum | irritant | |
|
| Bocote | cross reactions possible once sensitivity to other woods have developed | |
|
| Boxwood | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Brazilian Rosewood | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Brazilwood | irritant, headache, nausea, swelling skin, blisters | |
|
| Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) | irritant | |
|
| Bubinga | irritant, lesions | |
|
| Buckthorn | irritant, sap can cause dermatitis | |
|
| Bulletwood | irritant | |
|
| Camphor | irritant, asthma, headaches, giddiness | |
|
| Cashew | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Cedar, Aromatic Red | irritant | |
|
| Cedar, Australian Red | irritant, asthma, violent headache, giddiness, bronchitis, stomach cramps, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Cedar of Lebanon | irritant, asthma, respiratory disorders | |
|
| Cedar, Northern White | irritant, asthma | |
|
| Cedar, Port Orford | irritant | |
|
| Cedar, Spanish | irritant | |
|
| Cedar, Southern Red | irritant | |
|
| Cedar, Western Red | irritant, sensitizer, asthma, nervous system effects, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Chechen | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Cocobolo | irritant, sensitizer, nausea, asthma, conjunctivitis | |
|
| Cocuswood | irritant | |
|
| Coolibah | irritant | |
|
| Copaia | irritant | |
|
| Crow’s Ash | irritant | |
|
| Cuban Mahogany | irritant |
|
|
| Cypress | sensitizer | |
|
| Dahoma | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Dead Finish (Acacia tetragonophylla) | irritant, splinters go septic | |
|
| Djohar | irritant, skin discoloration, keratitis | |
|
| Douglas-fir | irritant, giddiness, splinters go septic, nausea | |
|
| East Indian Rosewood | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Ebony (Diospyros genus) | irritant, sensitizer, conjunctivitis | |
|
| Ebony, Macassar | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Ekki | irritant | |
|
| Elm (Ulmus genus) | irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare) | |
|
| European Beech | irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Eyoum | irritant | |
|
| Freijo | sensitizer | |
|
| Garapa | irritant | |
|
| Gedu Nohor | irritant | |
|
| Goncalo Alves | sensitizer | |
|
| Grasstree | irritant | |
|
| Greenheart | sensitizer, wheezing, splinters go septic, cardiac and intestinal disorders |  |
|
| Grey Box | irritant, rash | |
|
| Guarea | irritant, sensitizer, asthma, nausea, headache, | |
|
| Idigbo | irritant | |
|
| Imbuia | irritant | |
|
| Indian Beech | irritant | |
|
| Ipe | irritant, headache, asthma, vision effects | |
|
| Iroko | irritant, sensitizer, asthma, boils, giddiness, HP | |
|
| Jacareuba | irritant, fainting, insomnia, kidney damage | |
|
| Jarrah | irritant | |
|
| Jatoba | irritant | |
|
| Juniper, Phoenician (Juniperus phoenicea) | irritant, headache, nausea | |
|
| Katalox | irritant | |
|
| Keruing | irritant | |
|
| Kiaat | irritant, asthma, bronchitis | |
|
| Kingwood | irritant, sensitizer, conjunctivitis | |
|
| Lacewood | irritant | |
|
| Leadwood (Combretum genus) | irritant | |
|
| Lemon-Scented Gum | irritant | |
|
| Lignum Vitae | irritant | |
|
| Limba | irritant, hives, splinters go septic, asthma, bleeding of the nose and gums | |
|
| Mahogany, African | irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Honduran Mahogany | irritant, sensitizer, boils, nausea, giddiness, asthma, HP | |
|
| Mahogany, Santos | irritant | |
|
| Makore | irritant, nausea, headache, giddiness, nervous system and blood effects | |
|
| Mansonia | irritant, sensitizer, nausea, sneezing, headaches, nosebleeds, splinters go septic, asthma, giddiness, cardiac disorders | |
|
| Maple (Acer genus) | irritant, sensitizer, asthma; HP in spalted maple | |
|
| Marupa | irritant | |
|
| Meranti (Shorea genus) | irritant | |
|
| Merbau | irritant | |
|
| Mesquite (Prosopis genus) | irritant | |
|
| Messmate | irritant, asthma | |
|
Milky Mangrove |
sap is poisonous, causes irritation to eyes and/or temporary blindness, headache, burning of throat, blistering of skin | |
|
| Missanda | irritant, headache, giddiness, nausea, disorders of bowels and stomach | |
|
| Molopangady | irritant, sores | |
|
| Monkeypod | irritant | |
|
| Mountain Ash | irritant | |
|
| Movingui | irritant | |
|
| Muhuhu | irritant | |
|
|
Mulga (Acacia aneura) |
irritant, headache, nausea, wood contains a virulent poisonous principle used for spear heads by aboriginals | |
|
| Myrtle | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Myrtle Beech | irritant | |
|
| Narra | irritant, asthma | |
|
| New Zealand White Pine | irritant | |
|
| Norway Spruce | irritant, asthma | |
|
| Nyatoh | irritant | |
|
| Oak (Quercus genus) | irritant, sensitizer, asthma, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Obeche | irritant, sensitizer, rash, asthma | |
|
| Okoume | irritant, cough, asthma | |
|
| Olive | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Opepe | irritant, sensitizer, nervous system effects | |
|
| Osage Orange | irritant, sap can cause dermatitis | |
|
| Osage Orange, Argentine | irritant, sap can cause dermatitis | |
|
| Padauk | irritant, sensitizer, nausea, asthma | |
|
| Palm (Arecaceae family) | irritant, constitutional effects | |
|
| Parinari (Parinari genus) | irritant | |
|
| Pau Ferro | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Pau Marfim | irritant | |
|
| Peroba Rosa | irritant, sensitizer, nausea, asthma | |
|
| Persimmon | irritant | |
|
| Pheasantwood | cavities in the wood can contain powder that is an irritant | |
|
| Pine (Pinus genus) | irritant, asthma | |
|
| Poison Walnut |
bark irritating to skin, dust may cause asthma, nausea, giddiness, sap is toxic and corrosive | |
|
| Poplar | irritant, blisters, asthma, bronchitis | |
|
| Primavera | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Purpleheart | irritant, sensitizer, nausea | |
|
| Quebracho | irritant, nausea, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Queensland Maple | irritant | |
|
| Ramin | irritant, splinters go septic | |
|
| Red Bloodwood (Australian) | irritant | |
|
| Redwood | irritant, sensitizer, asthma, HP, NPC (rare) | |
 |
| Rengas | sap is strongly irritating, blisters, ulcers, fever, constitutional effects | |
|
| Rimu | irritant | |
|
| Rose Butternut | irritant, conjunctivitis | |
|
| Rosewood (Dalbergia genus) | irritant, sensitizer, asthma | |
|
| Saffron-Heart | irritant, splinters go septic, lung congestion | |
|
| Sassafras |
sensitizer, nausea, respiratory, direct toxin, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Sapele | irritant, sneezing | |
|
| Satinwood | irritant, headache | |
|
| Shittim (Acacia seyal) | irritant, coughing | |
|
| Silky Oak, Northern | irritant | |
|
| Silky Oak, Southern | irritant, sap may cause blistering of skin, eyelid inflammation | |
|
| Slash Pine | irritant, asthma | |
|
| Snakewood | irritant | |
|
| Sneezewood | irritant, oils within the wood cause violent sneezing | |
|
| Spotted Gum | irritant | |
|
| Spruce (Picea genus) | irritant, sensitizer | |
|
| Sucupira | irritant | |
|
| Sumac (Rhus genus) | irritant, bark may cause blisters | |
|
| Sweetgum | irritant | |
|
| Teak | irritant, sensitizer, rash, nausea, asthma, vision effects, conjunctivitis, HP | |
|
| Thuya | irritant | |
|
| Tree of Heaven | irritant | |
|
| Turpentine | irritant, swelling | |
|
| Utile | irritant | |
|
| Verawood | sneezing | |
|
| Walnut, African | irritant, systemic effects, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Walnut, Black | irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Walnut, English | irritant, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Wenge | irritant, sensitizer, splinters go septic, nervous system effects | |
|
| Western Hemlock | irritant, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) | irritant | |
|
| White Cypress Pine | irritant, asthma, swelling of eyelids, boils, NPC (rare) | |
|
| White Peroba | irritant, sensitizer, asthma | |
|
| Willow (Salix genus) | sensitizer, nausea, NPC (rare) | |
|
| Yellow Gum | irritant | |
|
| Yew (Taxus genus) |
irritant, nausea, direct toxin | |
|
| Yellowheart | irritant | |
|
| Zebrawood | sensitizer | |
|
| Ziricote | cross reactions possible once sensitivity to other woods have developed | |
|
References:
- Woods Toxic to Man, author unknown
- Woods, B., Calnan, C.D., Toxic Woods, Br. Journal of Dermatology, 1976
- ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety 1983
- Lame, K., McAnn, MEDIUM., AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, AMA 1985
- Poisondex, Micromedix Inc. 1990
- List of woods and toxicity characteristics, Roy Banner, 1989
- Toxic Woods Information Sheet, (Woodworking sheet #30), Health and Safety Executive, UK
- Campbell, Bruce, Wood/Dust Toxicity, 2006
- Ellis, Neil, Health Hazards & Wood, 1998
- Mitchell, John, and Arthur Rook, Botanical Dermatology, 1979
- Pentz, Bill, Medical Risks, 2008
- Timbers & Health, Woodturners Society of Queensland, Inc.
- Robison, Nick von, Potentially Toxic Woods, Musical Instrument Makers Forum, 1998
- Chudnoff, Martin, Tropical Timbers of the World, Forest Products Laboratory, 1980
- Kukachka, Francis, Properties of Imported Tropical Woods, Forest Products Laboratory, 1969
- Sims, Michael, and Erica Skadsen, Wood Hazards, BMEzine.com LLC, 2006
- Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2008
- Forest Products Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture
What is a Sensitizer?
You’ve probably already heard the term desensitized—usually in reference to violent movies or images—meaning that we start off as naturally being sensitive to something, and upon more and frequent exposure, we become less and less sensitive to its effects.
Well, with some woods that have been classified as being a sensitizer, the opposite is true: the more we are exposed to a wood’s sawdust or other fine particles, the more sensitive we get to its exposure, and the more severe and adverse the reactions become.
If you ever have an allergic reaction to any wood that has been identified as a sensitizer, use extreme caution in handling or using that species (and related species) in future instances. Some have reactions so severe that they simply have had to stop and discontinue using certain wood species altogether. (Cocobolo is notorious in this regard.)
What is HP?
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (also called extrinsic allergic alveolitis, EAA) is an inflammation of the alveoli within the lung caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled organic dusts. HP on PubMedHealth.
What is NPC?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, or sometimes called nasopharyngeal cancer. Basically, it is a cancer of the upper area of the pharnyx, or “throat,” where the nasal passages and auditory tubes join the remainder of the upper respiratory tract. NPC on MayoClinic.com.
