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
African Mahogany irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare)
African Walnut irritant, NPC (rare)
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
Aromatic Red Cedar irritant

Ash (Fraxinus genus) irritant
Australian Blackwood irritant, sensitizer, asthma
Australian Cashew Nut irritant, skin lesions, nosebleeds
Australian Red Cedar irritant, asthma, violent headache, giddiness, bronchitis, stomach cramps, NPC (rare)
Avodire irritant, nose bleeds, internal bleeding, asthma
Balsam Fir sensitizer (from bark/needles)
Birch (Betula genus) irritant, sensitizer, nausea
Black Cherry wheezing, giddiness
Black Locust irritant, nausea
Black Walnut irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare)
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
Camphor irritant, asthma
Cashew irritant, sensitizer
Cedar, Northern White irritant, asthma
Cedar, Spanish irritant
Cedar of Lebanon irritant, respiratory disorders
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
Elm (Ulmus genus) irritant, sensitizer, NPC (rare)
English Walnut irritant, 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,
Honduran Mahogany irritant, sensitizer, boils, nausea, giddiness, asthma, HP
Idigbo 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

Katalox irritant
Keruing irritant
Kiaat irritant, asthma, bronchitis
Kingwood irritant, sensitizer, conjunctivitis
Lacewood irritant
Lemon-Scented Gum irritant
Lignum Vitae irritant
Limba irritant, splinters go septic, asthma
Macassar Ebony irritant, sensitizer
Mahogany, Santos irritant
Makore irritant, nausea, headache, giddiness, nervous system and blood effects
Mansonia irritant, sensitizer, nausea, 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
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
Parinari (Parinari genus) irritant
Pau Ferro irritant, sensitizer
Pau Marfim irritant
Peroba Rosa irritant, sensitizer, nausea, asthma
Phoenician Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) irritant, headache, nausea
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
Port Orford Cedar irritant
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,
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
Slash Pine irritant, asthma
Snakewood irritant
Sneezewood irritant, oils within the wood cause violent sneezing
Southern Redcedar irritant
Southern Silky Oak irritant, sap may cause blistering of skin, eyelid inflammation
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
Wenge irritant, sensitizer, splinters go septic, nervous system effects
Western Hemlock irritant, NPC (rare)
Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) irritant

Western Red Cedar irritant, sensitizer, asthma, nervous system effects, NPC (rare)
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 Wikipedia.

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 Wikipedia.

19 Responses to “Wood Allergies and Toxicity”

  1. I sleep with a wooden headboard (pine) and my PC is a wood piece (white wash pine)of furniture. Is there any way a piece of furniture could cause allergic reactions? I get up fuzzy swollen eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and wheezing. The bedroom has been cleared out throughly with an air purifier, laminate floors, mattress encased in a allergy bag, pillow in an alergy bag. New air filters are being put in constanstly and I did the 5 years of shots many years ago. I still have extreme allergies every morning. The sheets and comforter are washed every week-end and a couple of times a week I heat up my pillow in the dryer to kill whatever dust mite might be lurking in the fibers. I heard once some guy had problems because of his wooden furniture. Do you think this is my case? Please advise of forward me to someone who may have some light on this subject. I totally appreciate you time and efforts in the matter. Meghan

  2. Meghan,

    I suppose it’s a remote possibility: I have heard of a few rare instances where allergic reactions can be that sensitive.

    I would say to possibly do some some scientific eliminations to try and find the culprit(s). Maybe sleep in a different room/bed for a few nights, and see if the symptoms go away.

    If the reactions are that intense, it may be worth it to try and remove the wood for a while and see if you improve.

  3. A co worker of mine was recently exposed to tropical tigerwood dust while installing a hardwood floor, is there any reason to be concerned about possible consequences from such exposure?

  4. If there weren’t any immediate allergic reactions, then I wouldn’t worry about it. As long as it was just a one time exposure, and he isn’t noticing any health effects, then he should be fine.

  5. I woke up this morning with a reaction I believe to be from turning bottle stoppers yesterday.Red irritated skin on face & neck, swollen puffy eyes. Problem is, I used six different woods. Osage orange, Bocote, Yucatan rosewood,Black palm,Curly pigyama? and a self made laminent of leopard wood,maple & Purple hart. Any Ideas on which is likely the cause? Had this reaction once before, but didn’t put together with wood as the cause so I don’t remember what I was using the first time.

  6. Dana,

    Skin irritation is probably the most common allergic reaction, with just about every kind of wood being capable of causing a reaction. If I had to guess, I’d say the top three suspects would be Yucatan Rosewood, Osage Orange, and Purpleheart.

    Yucatan Rosewood is supposed to be less allergenic than other rosewoods, but it’s still a true Dalbergia rosewood, so I would suspect that wood first.

    Also, even though I’ve never read any reports of toxicity about Bocote, I still don’t trust the stuff, and would include that as another likely suspect.

  7. Thanks Eric, that makes it unanimous so far. Trying to use a little deductive reasoning, I had the same conclusion as did one of the guys down at the local woodworking store. Picked up another length of 4″ hose to get the dust collector to the lathe and a decent dust mask!

  8. I am currently enrolled in a carpentry class at a local college, there are 3 weeks left in the course and we began working with Spruce for a small staircase as it turns out I break out with puffy eyes and red blistery patches on both arms, the puffiness goes away after about 4-6 days. and it seems to come back the day after exposure.
    Everything I have read regarding Spruce says a reaction is rare but I seem to have all the symptoms, Do you know of any medication I can take to help releave the puffuness and the itching Benedril does not work for me!

  9. Chris,

    If your symptoms are lasting that long, then I would definitely try and see a doctor for professional advice.

    From everything I’ve read, simply the best thing to do is prevent exposure in the first place. I would either try to use a different type of softwood species, or else wear a full complement of protective gear, from head to toe. You might look a little goofy to your classmates wearing all kinds of protective gear, but I think it’s the best way to prevent reactions from occurring if you have to work with Spruce.

  10. Ok, I got one for you, I have been to two allergist now and they dont know what it is. Back in 07′ I worked at a lumberstore sawing doors, door jams,There was not a ventalation system there. It was in a werehouse where we kept all the woods and even woods for stair wells. I was there for maybe a couple months, but I was there for a week when I felt like I was getting sick. I would come home from work with a itchy throat and my voice would be harsh and I would feel like my throat wes swollen and that I had flem in it and could not clear my thoat. So I went to see a doctor thinking I was sick, well he told me that I would most likly have to change jobs because he felt strongly that I was allergic to the saw dust. Soon after that I went to the first allergist and got skin tested. I had no recation to it as far as a rash or anything but I started to lose my voice, get that flem feeling and my throat would feel like it swells. the doctor sent me away (did nothing) recently I was taken to the hospital for an recation this time it was much worser, not only did all the useual happen but this time my neck swelled as well. It seems to only happen when i breath in any saw dust from any woods that are being cute or are rare exposed woods. But my skin does not react. I went to a different allergiest and he is more concerned I still had no skin reaction to the skin test, my chest dosent get tight persay, it seems to me it is all in my throat oh and my nose gets pluged. I have to carry benadrly with me at all times and now the new doctor wants me to carry an eppy pen. The new doctor also did a test with my blood and fould nothing. So I was wondering have you hared of anything like this or am I alone? Any info would help Thanks

  11. Amy,

    There is a lot of data for skin-patch tests of various wood species on the Botanical Dermatology Database website:

    http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/

    You can do a search for “Pinaceae” to show a listing of most softwoods.

    Otherwise, I’ve definitely heard of many instances where people (myself included) will have a reaction to a certain wood species when it is breathed in, but it doesn’t seem to do much when it is simply touched. Though, to be honest, there was no formal patch testing, just anecdotal evidence.

  12. I am conducting a toxicity test on Albizzia. Is there such as thing as a “non-toxic” wood that I could use as a control?

  13. Bess, while I can’t 100% personally guarantee that any wood species is completely non-toxic, if I had to pick one that I thought would be most harmless for your test, I’d go with Basswood.

  14. After swimming off a dock, my daughter was covered in a rash; back of legs, bottom, stomach, back sides of arms. Her eyes were itchy too. This has happened before, but in the past, we thought she had been in contact with poison ivy. This time, she never went into the woods. Are docks usually treated with a certain chemical? Or is it the wood causing the rash?

  15. Laura, Sounds like swimmers itch to me. Is there a lot of water fowl in or around the lake in question? I suggest you Google Swimmers itch. Or try this link.

    http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/.....tsheet.pdf

  16. Does anyone know 1.what woods for flooring are least likely to cause an allergic reaction? Also, 2. if the grade, or direction of cut, or part of tree can affect allergy, and 3. if older/ recycled woods may cause less of an allergic reaction than when new?

    Every unfinished wood I’ve touched a sample of causes extreme stinging/ and sometimes aching. And unfinished oak samples in my room caused my throat/ tongue to have a swelling sensation, along with nasal stuffiness/ swelling.

    I have a deadline to pick up flooring materials tomorrow, and I can’t seem to find anything I’m not allergic to. (Definitely allergic to Oak, Maple, Birch, Hickory, Walnut, …perhaps all.) -I am wondering if anyone knows about American Cherry for allergies.

    (I cannot find a non- wood option either, as am severely sensitive (much worse throat swelling etc.) to the particle/ fiber boards, and glues (in backings/ material such as cork, marmoleum, and bamboo.)

    not sure if ok to post this here, but I’m a bit desperate. Thank You!

  17. Shira, I sent you an email responding to your other questions. I didn’t notice that you said you were allergic to birch and maple though.

    FWIW, american cherry is the same thing as black cherry.

    http://www.wood-database.com/l.....ck-cherry/

  18. I make sculpted furniture and create an enormous amount of dust in doing so. I have some woods that I have become sensitized to and now take precautions to avoid these woods. What woods have the least chance of giving you an allergic reaction is there a list somewhere?

  19. Kevin,
    I don’t know of any sort of condensed list, but just looking over the site for woods that don’t have a health warning, or ones that don’t necessarily cause reactions very commonly, here’s what comes to mind:

    Basswood
    Birch
    Butternut
    Hickory
    Maple
    Sycamore

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