Toxic Wood and Wood Allergies information

Toxic Wood | Wood Allergies

Here we explore toxic wood and if timber can cause allergies. This in depth article covers the potential hazards.

Can wood be toxic? We describe the adverse effects that wood can have to health

Toxic Wood

Although wood looks and feels such a beautiful and safe material, it can be harmful to your health, and in extreme situations can actually kill – not just because of accidents with felling trees, or unsafe operation of woodworking machinery, but because of the toxic effects of the wood itself.

This is not a particular bright and cheerful subject but it is worth being aware of some of the hazards of using certain wood species. Please note that the conditions are normally rare and often subject to long term exposure and/or when individuals have a predisposition to such ailments (or who have not adopted preventative practices).

Many suffer no adverse effects of working with wood (even with those identified as potentially hazardous) there are however exceptions to this so we have outlined some of the potential hazards here. Preventative actions and specific health and safety awareness can reduce/illuminate the dangers – therefore; awareness is key to maintaining safe and healthy practice relating to wood and working with it.

Excessive exposure to certain kinds of wood dust can cause ailments including bronchial asthma, rhinitis (a constantly runny nose), alveolitis allergica (hypersensitivity pneumonia), ODTS (organic dust toxic syndrome), bronchitis, allergic dermatitis and conjunctivitis. Nasal cancers are rare, but they can occur, especially to those working a long time in the furniture industry. Cancer of the upper respiratory tract can be cause by many kinds of wood dust, especially Beech and Oak.

Some woods, such as Yew, can act as sensitizers. When first used, there is no reaction, but after repeated exposure that user may become sensitized so that each contact with the wood produces an almost immediate allergic reaction. Often this is irreversible, the only logical outcome being to avoid using that particular wood. Other sensitizers include Beech, Mahogany, Sequoia or Redwood, Willow and Teak. If you are allergic to aspirin, be cautious of Willow and Birch, as they can have a similar effect.

Micro-organisms in bark and fungus can induce bronchial asthma, rhinitis and allergic dermatitis. In North America, Maple bark strippers’ disease is due, apparently, to the mould Cryptostroma corticale that grows between the sapwood and the bark of Maple and Birch trees. This can cause respiratory allergies. Spalted Maple is known to cause respiratory problems.

As stated above - some people are more susceptible than others, and if you are a smoker the risk of illness from inhalation of wood dust is greatly increased.

Subtropical and tropical woods noted for allergic effect include Western Red Cedar, Sequoia or Redwood, Obeche, Cocobolo and Mansonia. Woods from temperate climes tend to produce a less extreme effect; those which should be treated with caution include Larch, Walnut, Oak, Beech, Yew and Pine.

Questions about Wood and its potential dangers

Which woods are toxic? There are number of wood species that are considered to dangerous to health - we list some of these below.

Can you be allergic to wood? Some people can be susceptible to allergies caused by wood. We list the possible allergies and causes and wood species.

Is wood dust a carcinogen? Exposure to wood dust has long been associated with a variety of adverse health effects, including dermatitis, allergic respiratory effects, mucosal and nonallergic respiratory effects, and cancer. As stated above - this is normally when exposure is for long periods of time and precautions (listed below) are not taken.

Safety Precautions for Working with Wood

All woodworkers should take precautions to minimize the risk of allergic reactions, particularly from wood dust and extractives such as tannin and resins. Some useful guidelines are:

Work in a well-ventilated area with an adequate dust extraction system (this needs to conform to the Health and Safety regulations of your country/region and will need to regularly tested and maintained)
Wash and shower frequently
Wash work clothes frequently
Avoid particularly toxic woods – see our toxic wood table below
Wear gloves if necessary
Use a powered respirator helmet, or at least a face mask
Avoid working unseasoned wood
Do not use known sensitizing wood for such things are handles
Be especially cautions with dust from bonded wood products such as plywood and MDF

Timber and the hidden health risk

Which timbers are toxic? The chart below is compiled from a variety of reliable resources, shows a wide selection, but by no means all, of the toxic and allergic effects of some wood. It should be used as a guideline only. Woods vary from subspecies to subspecies, and the type of soil a tree grows in can affect its toxicity. There are other woods not shown in the chart which can also be toxic, and dust from any source in quantity is dangerous if breathed in.

Summary on Toxic Wood

Although we highlighted some of the potential dangers and risks of using and working with wood these are often rare. Unless exposure, to potentially dangerous timbers, is prolonged (and without precautions) then the chances that you will suffer any adverse effects, are unlikely. As highlighted dust is the most common cause of any issues and the appropriate precautions and use of PPE (person protective equipment) should be observed.

All woodworkers should take precautions to minimize the risk of allergic reactions, particularly from wood dust and extractives such as tannin and resins

As mentioned, typically wood is only toxic when cutting, processing and machining it. This mainly due to the dust and particles that are omitted and can enter the lungs. Even then level of toxicity is low unless exposed for long periods or direct inhalation.

Very few wood species, that we use as humans, are toxic to the touch or even to be exposed to food. Many woods actually have properties that prevent the growth of bacteria which is why species like Beech is used for chopping boards and kitchen work surfaces.

Wood used for toys and has been for thousands of years. Maple and Beech are particular good for this as the grain is tight and the wood rarely splinters.

We love wood and everything about and would not want this article to, in anyway, put you off this natural, beautiful, versatile material.

The majority of the precautions are common sense and of most of the wood, that is commonly available and sourced for human use, is perfectly safe.

CLICK HERE FOR LIST IN PDF

Wood	Botanical name	Adverse reaction	Toxic parts
Balsam fir	Abies balsamea	Sensitizer skin and eyes irritation	Leaves, bark
Mulga	Acacia aneura	Irritation to nose, throat, eyes; headaches, vomiting	Dust
Brigalow	Acacia harpophylla	Dermatitis; irritation to nose, eyes, throat, groin	Bark dust, wood dust
Australian blackwood	Acacia melanoxylon	Dermatitis; asthma, nose and throat irritation; sensitizer	Dust, wood
European maple	Acer campestre	Sensitizer; decrease in lung function	Dust
Bigleaf maple	Acer macrophyllum	Dermatitis, rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma	Dust
Boxelder	Acer negundo	Dermatitis, rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma	Dust
Soft maple	Acer rubrum, A. saccharinum	May affect lung function	Dust
Hard maple	Acer saccharium, A. nigrum	May affect lung function	Dust
Yellow buckeye	Aesculus flava	Nuts and twigs contain aescin, a cytotoxin	Nuts, twigs
Afzelia/doussie	Afzelia spp.	Dermatitis, respiratory problems, nose and throat irritation	Dust
Albizia	Albizia (Paraserianthes) falcataria	Irritation to nose, eyes, alimentary tract; dermatitis; nausea	Dust
Kokko	Albizia lebbech	Irritant to eyes, nose and throat	Dust
Red siris	Albizia toona	Dermatitis, nosebleeds, conjunctivitis, giddiness	Dust
Alder	Alnus spp.	Dermatitis, rhinitis, bronchial problems	Dust
Cashew	Anacardium occidentale	Sensitizer; Blisters from sap; dermatitis	Dust, wood, sap
Peroba rosa	Aspidosperma peroba	Skin irritation, headache, nausea, sweating, respiratory problems, fainting, drowsiness, stomach cramps, weakness, blisters	Dust, wood
Goncalo alves	Astronium fraxinifolium	Sensitizer; dermatitis, irritation to skin and eyes	Wood, dust
Gaboon/okoume	Aucoumea klaineana	Irritant to skin and eyes; asthma, coughing	Dust, wood
Tatajuba	Bagassa guianensis	Contact dermatitis, allergic reactions	Dust, wood
Rhodesian teak	Baikiaea plurijuga	Respiratory irritation	No information
Pau marfim	Balfouredendron riedelianum	Dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma	Dust
Pink ivory	Berchemia zeyheri	Bark and fruit are poisonous; sap can cause dermatitis	Fruit, bark, sap
Yellow birch	Betula alleghaniensis	Dermatitis, respiratory problems	Dust
Paper birch	Betula papyrifera	Dermatitis, respiratory problems	Dust
Silver birch	Betula pendula	Sensitizer; dermatitis, respiratory problems	Dust, wood
Rose butternut	Blepharocarya invelucrigera	Dermatitis, conjunctivitis	Dust
Sucupira	Bowdichia spp.	Allergic contact dermatitis	Dust, wood
Muhuhu	Brachylaena hutchinsii	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Satine	Brosimum spp.	Nausea, excessive salivation, thirst	Dust
Snakewood	Brosimum guianense	Thirst, salivation, respiratory tract irritation, nausea	Dust, wood
Cocuswood	Brya ebenus	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Boxwood	Buxus sempervirens	Sensitizer; dermatitis; irritant to eyes, nose and throat	Dust, wood
White cypress pine	Callitris glauca	Dermatitis, swollen eyelids, asthma, nasal irritation, nasal cancer	Dust, wood
Jacareuba	Calophyllum brasiliense	Dermatitis, loss of appetite, possible kidney damage, fainting, insomnia	Dust, wood
Australian silky oak	Cardwellia sublimis	Dermatitis	Dust, green wood
Sweet chestnut	Castanea sativa	Dermatitis	Bark, lichens
Blackbean	Castanospermum australe	Dermatitis, dermatitis; irritation to nose, eyes, throat, armpits, genitals	Dust
South American cedar	Cedrela fissilis	Dermatitis, asthma; nose and throat irritation, skin blistering, inflammation of eyelids, possible nasal cancer	Dust, wood
Cedar of Lebanon	Cedrus libani	Respiratory disorders, rhinigis, chest tightness	Dust
Coachwood	Ceratopetalum apetalum	Dermatitis	Dust
Port Orford cedar	Chamaecyparis lawsoniana	Dermatitis, irritation to eyes and lungs, violent earache giddiness, stomach cramps. Inhalation of odour from freshly milled wood can cause kidney problems	Dust, extractives
Greenheart	Chlorocardium rodiaei	Splinters go septic; cardiac and intestinal disorders, severe throat irritation; sensitizer	Wood, dust
Ceylon satinwood	Chloroxylon swietenia	Dermatitis, headache, swelling of scrotum, nasal irritation	Dust, wood
Camphor laurel	Cinnamomum camphora	Dermatitis, shortness of breath	Dust
Freijo/cordia	Cordia goeldiana	Possibly a skin sensitizer	Dust, wood
Spottem gum	Corymbia citrodora	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Red bloodwood	Corymbia gummifera	Irritation to eyes and skin, dermatitis, violent headache, giddiness, stomach cramps, asthma, bronchitis	Dust
New Zealand white pine	Dacrycarpus dacryoides	Dermatitis, irritation to nose and throat	Dust
Rimu	Dacrydium cupressinum	Eye and nose irritant	Dust
Rosewood	Dalbergia spp.	Irritation, dermatitis, respiratory problems; sensitizer	Dust, wood
Kingwood	Dalbergia cearensis	Eye and skin irritant	Dust
African blackwood	Dalbergia melanoxylon	Acute dermatitis, conjunctivitis, sneezing, asthma	Dust
Cocobolo	Dalbergia retusa	Sensitizer; irritant to skin, nose and throat; conjunctivitis, nausea, bronchial asthma, wheezing, chest tightness, headache	Dust, wood
Ebony (macassar and Africaan)	Diospyros spp.	Irritant; dermatitis, conjunctivitis, sneezing; possible a skin sensitizer	Dust, wood
Persimmon	Diopsyros virginiana	Possible dermatitis	Heartwood, dust
Ayan/movingui	Distemonanthus benthamianus	Dermatitis	Dust
Jelutong	Dyera costulata	Possible contact allergy	Wood, dust
Miva mahogany	Dysoxylum muelleri	Dermatitis, lung congestion, nose bleeds, inflammation of nose and eyes, loss of appetite, headache	Dust
Gedu nohor	Entandrophragma angolense	Dermatitis	Wood, dust
Sapele	Entandrophragma cylindricum	Skin irritation, sneezing	Dust
Utile	Entandrophragma utile	Skin irritant	Dust, wood
Guanacase	Enteroloium cyclocarpum	Possible mucous membrane irritation, allergies	Dust
Southern blue gum	Eucalyptus spp.	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Tasmanian oak	Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. obliqua, E. regnans	Dermatitis, asthma, sneezing; irritant to eyes, nose and throat	Dust
Blue gum	Eucalyptus globulus	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Yellow gum	Eucalyptus leucoxylon	Irritant to nose and throat	Dust
Jarrah	Eucalyptus marginata	Irritant to eyes, nose and throat	Dust
Grey box	Eucalyptus microcarpa	Irritant to skin, throat and nose, eczema	Dust, wood
Coolibah	Eucalyptus microtheca	Dermatitis	Bark, wood dust
Sydney blue gum	Eucalyptus saligna	Contact dermatitis, nose and throat irritation	Dust, wood
American beech	Fagus grandifolia	Dermatitis, eye irritation, decrease in lung function, rate incidence of nasal cancer	Dust
European beech	Fagus salvatica	Dermatitis, eye irritation, decrease in lung function, rate incidence of nasal cancer	Leaves, bark, dust
Crows' ash	Flindersia australis	Dermatitis	Dust
Queensland maple	Flindersia brayleyana	Dermatitis	Dust, wood
Ash	Fraxinus americana, F. excelsior	Rhinitis, asthma, decrease in lung function	Dust
Japanese ash	Fraxinus mandschurica	Can affect lung function	Dust
Rengas	Gluta spp.	Irritant; dermatitis, blistering, chronic intestinal ulcers	Bark, sap, dust
African boxwood	Gonioma kamassi	Irritation to nose and throat, asthma, fainting, headache, shortness of breath	Dust, extractives
Ramin	Gonystylus macrophyllum	Dermatitis; sharp fibres cause skin irritation; breathing difficulties, coughing, shivering, sweating, tiredness	Bark, splinters
Agba/tola	Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum	Dermatitis	Dust
Lignum vitae	Guaiacum officinale	Dermatitis	Dust
Guarea	Guarea cedrata	Skin and mucous membrane irritation, visual disturbance, nausea, headache, dermatitis, asthma	Dust, extractives
bubnga	Guibourtia demeusei	Dermatitis, possible skin lesions	Dust, extractives
Cooliman tree	Gyrocarpus americanus	Can apparently cause blindness	No information
Bibu	Holigarna arnottiana	Skin blisters from sap, eye irritation	Sap
Courbaril	Hymenaea courbaril	Skin irritant	Dust
Merbau	Intsia bijuga	Dermatitis, rhinitis; irritant dust	Dust
Caroba	Jacaranda caroba	Dermatitis	Dust
Butternut	Juglans cinerea	Irritant to skin and eyes; asthma, coughing	Dust
American walnut	Juglans nigra	Irritant to eyes and skin	Dust, wood
European walnut	Jugland regia	Dermatitis, irritation of nose, eyes and throat, possible nasal cancer	Dust
Virgninian pencil cedar	Juniperus virginiana	Respiratory problems, possible dermatitis	Dust
African mahogany	Khaya ivorensis	Dermatitis rhinitis, respiratory problems, nasal cancer	Dust
Laburnum	Laburnum anagyroides	Seeds highly toxic	Seeds
European larch	Larix decidua	Dermatitis, possible from bark lichens; nettle rash, respiratory irritation	Bark, dust
Western larch	Larix occidentalis	Dermatitis, rhinitis, allergic bronchial asthma	Dust
American sweet gum	Liquidambar styraciflua	Dermatitis, possible skin lesions	Dust
American whitewood	Liriodendron tulipifera	Dermatitis, allergic reactions	Dust
Bollywood	Litsea glutinosa	Skin irritation	Dust
Ekki	Lophira alata	Dermatitis and itching	Dust, wood
African walnut	Lovoa trichilioides	Irritation to mucous membranes and alimentary tract; nasal cancer	Dust
Jacaranda pardo	Machaerium villosum	Contact dermatitis, allergic symptoms	Wood, dust
Osage-orange	Maclura pomifera	Dermatitis	Sap
Red lancewood	Manilkara huberi	Dermatitis	Dust
Mansonia	Mansonia altissima	Splinters go septic; nosebleeds, sneezing, skin irritation, asthma, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, vomiting, cardiac disorders. Bark highly toxic	Dust, wood, bark
Rata	Metrosideros robusta	Irritation to nose and eyes	Dust
Zebrano	Microberlinia brazzavillensis	Sensitizer; irritant to eyes and skin; asthma, breathing difficulties	Dust, wood
Iroko	Milicia excelsa	Dermatitis, furunculosis, asthma, nettle rash, oeadema of eyelids, respiratory problems, sneezing, giddiness	Dust
Wenge	Millettia laurentii	Splinters go septic; irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory system; dermatitis, giddiness, drowsiness, visual problems, stomach cramps; sensitizer	Dust, wood
Abura/bahia	Mitragyna ciliata (Hallea ledermannii)	Vomiting, nausea, giddiness, eye irritation, short splinters hard to remove	Dust, splinters
Opepe	Nauclea diderrichii	Dermatitis, mucous membrane irritation, giddiness, visual disturbance, nosebleeds, blood spitting	Dust, wood
Oleander	Nerium oleander	Cardiac problems, malaise, nausea	Dust, wood, leaves, bark
Tasmanian myrtle	Nothofagus cunninghamii	Irritation to mucous membranes	Dust
Stinkwood	Ocotea bullata	Nasal irritant	Dust
Imbuia	Ocotea (syn. Phoebe) porosa	Irritant to nose, eyes, skin	Dust
Euroepan olive	Olea europaea	Irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory system	Dust
East african olive	Olea hochstetteri	Irritant to eyes, skin, nose and lungs	Dust
Desert ironwood	Olneya tesota	Rhinitis, sneezing	Fine dust
White peroba	Paratecoma peroba	Dermatitis, nasal irritation, asthma; splinters go septic	Dust
Purpleheart	Peltogyne pubescens	Nasal irritation, nausea	Dust, wood
Afrormosia	Pericopsis elata	Skin and eye irritation; splinters go septic; effects on the nervous system; possible rhinitis and asthma	Dust, splinters
Spruce	Picea abies	Respiratory problems, irritation to nose and throat	Dust, wood
Stitka spruce	Picea sitchensis	Respiratory irritation, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis	Dust
Pine	(various) Pinus spp.	Irritant; decrease in lung function, allergic bronchial asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis	Dust, wood
Dahoma	Piptadeniastrum africanum	Irritant; dermatitis, sneezing, coughing, nose bleeds	Dust, wood
Taun	Pometia pinnata	Dermatitis, rhinitis	Dust
Poplar	(various) Populus spp.	Dermatitis, sneezing, eye irritation, asthma, bronchitis	Dust, wood
Mesquite	Prosopis juliflora	Dermatitis, respiratory irritation	Dust
American cherry	Prunus serotina	Wheezing, giddiness	Dust
Douglas fir	Pseudotsuga menziesii	Dermatitis, nasal cancer, rhinitis, respiratory problems, splinters go septic	Dust, wood
Padauk	Pterocarpus spp.	Dermatitis, itching, nasal irritation, eyelid swelling, vomiting, asthma; sensitizer	Dust, wood
Muninga	Pterocarpus angolensis	Dermatitis, bronchial asthma, nasal irritation	Dust
Amboyna	Pterocarpus indicus	Dermatitis, asthma, nausea	Dust
American white, red oak	Quercos alba, Q. rubra	Asthma, sneezing, irritation to nose and eyes, nasal cancer	Dust
Japanese oak	Quercus mongolica	Dermatitis, sneezing, nasal cancer	Dust
European oak	Quercus robur, Q. petraea	Dermatitis, sneezing, nasal cancer	Dust
Sumac	Rhus spp.	Blisters from bark; dermatitis	Dust, bark
Robinia	Robinia pseudoacacia	Irritant to eyes and skin; nausea, malaise	Dust, leaves, bark
Willow	Salix alba	Sensitizer; allergic reaction similar to aspirin	Dust, wood, leaves, bark
Sassafras	Sassafras officinale	Sensitizer; irritant to skin and respiratory system; possible nasal cancer	Dust, wood, leaves, bark
Needlewood	Schima wallichii	Skin irritation	Bark
Quebrancho	Schinopsis spp.	Dermatitis, respiratory and nasal irritation, nausea, malaise; possible carcinogen	Dust, leaves, bark
Sequoia (redwood)	Sequoia sempervirens	Asthma, wheezing, dermatitis, nasal cancer, hypersensitivity pneumonia; respiratory irritant	Dust
Lauan/meranti	Shorea spp.	Irritation, dermatitis	Dust
White lauan	Shorea contorta	Dermatitis, irritation of nose, eyes, throat	Dust
Tamboti	Spirostachys africana	Irritant to skin and eyes; ; possible blindness	Bark, sap, dust
American mahogany	Swietenia macrophylla	Dermatitis, respiratory problems, giddiness, furunculosis, vomiting	Dust
Turpentine	Syncarpia glomulifera	Irritant to mucous membranes	Dust
Ipe	Tabebuia serratifolia	Yellow dust can cause skin and eye irritation. Possible shortness of breath, headache, visual disturbance	Dust
Bald cypress	Taxodium distichum	Sensitizer; respiratory problems	Dust
Yew	Taxus baccata	Headaches, nausea, fainting, intestinal irritation, visual disturbances, lung congestion, reduction in blood pressure; sensitizer. Highly toxic to humans and cattle	Dust, wood, leaves
Pacific yew	Taxus brevifolia	Highly toxic; irritant; dermatitis	All parts
Teak	Tectona grandis	Dermatitis, conjunctivitis, irritation to nose and throat, swelling of the scrotum, nausea, oversensitivity to light	Dust
Indian laurel	Terminalia alata	Irritant	Dust
Idigbo	Terminalia ivorensis	Skin and respiratory problems; possible irritant	Dust
Afara/liba	Terminalia superba	Splinters go septic; nettle rash, nose an gum bleeding, decrease in lung function	Dust, wood
Western red cedar	Thuja plicata	Asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, mucous membrane irritation, nosebleeds, stomach pains, nausea, giddiness, disturbance to central nervous system	Dust, wood, leaves, bark
Makore	Tieghemella heckelii	Dermatitis, nose and throat irritation, nosebleeds, stomach pains, nausea, giddiness, disturbance to central nervous system	Dust, wood
Australian red cedar	Toona ciliata	Irritant to nose and throat; dermatitis, violent headache, giddiness, stomach cramps, asthma, bronchitis	Dust
Obeche	Triplochiton scleroxylon	Dermatitis, nettle rash, asthma, lung congestion, sneezing, wheezing	Dust, wood
Western hemlock	Tsuga heterophylla	Dermatitis, rhinitis, eczema, bronchial problems, possible nasal cancer	Dust
Avodire	Turraeanthus africanus	Dermatitis, nosebleeds, respiratory irritation, possible internal bleeding	Dust
American elm	Ulmus americana	Dermatitis; irritant to nose and eyes	Dust
Wych elm	Ulmus glabra	Dermatitis; irritant; nasal cancer	Dust
Dutch elm	Ulmus hollandica	Dermatitis; irritation of nose and throat; nasal cancer	Dust
English elm	Ulmus procera	Dermatitis; irritation of nose, eyes, throat ; nasal cancer	Dust
Rock elm	Ulmus thomasii	Dermatitis; skin irritation	Dust
Myrtle	Umbellularia californica	Sensitizer; respiratory problems	Leaves, bark, dust
West indian satinwood	Zanthoxylum flavum	Dermatitis, giddiness, nausea, lethargy, visual disturbances	Dust

Source/reference: Wood ID & Use by T. Porter - A really great book for wood reference

This blog was orignally posted in July 2022 and edited/re-posted in Sept 2023 and May 2024