Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: alcot on January 07, 2016, 12:49:16 pm

Title: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: alcot on January 07, 2016, 12:49:16 pm
Has anyone ever had a severe reaction from working with Black Locust? I've noticed a slight irritation from sawdust in the past,  but after steaming a stave yesterday I started coughing violently and my lungs feel like they're on fire. Probably a cold--never had this before.
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: Eric Krewson on January 07, 2016, 01:35:31 pm
Not with BL but with walnut and to some extent with osage, these types of allergies tend to be progressive and get worse over time. I wear a dust mask and use a dedicated vac system in my shop and still have problems.
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: TimBo on January 07, 2016, 02:15:30 pm
According to TBB vol. 4, leaves and bark of black locust can cause nausea.  I haven't noticed that, but don't work with BL a ton.  Maybe steaming released some toxins?
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: Swampman on January 07, 2016, 10:22:37 pm
Al, I get some minor irritation from black locust saw dust too.  I have never steamed it but I would guess your steaming released some toxins.  Probably need to do that outside.  I steamed black walnut in my shop once and my eyes started burning so bad I couldn't  :laugh:stay in there.  I felt like I was sprayed with mace.  If you would like I could come up and take that pesky black locust off your hands so you don't have to worry about it.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: Red-Beard_the_Gael on January 08, 2016, 01:56:30 pm
Black locust is slightly toxic (but is worse/fatal for horses) not like yew though. So streaming probably just made all that airborne for you. The toxins in the wood are what makes black locust resistant to rot.
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: Badger on January 08, 2016, 02:13:21 pm
  My wood allergies have gotten progressievly worse over the years. Osage only bothers me when I sand it or bandsaw it. BL gets to me when I remove the bark. Some hickory almost killed me a few months ago, I left it in the microwave too long and it caught fire filled the entire house with smoke, I guess that doesn't count though.
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: JoJoDapyro on January 08, 2016, 02:57:06 pm
According to TBB vol. 4, leaves and bark of black locust can cause nausea.  I haven't noticed that, but don't work with BL a ton.  Maybe steaming released some toxins?
  MY dog will eat BL bark over treats. I have not seen him to get sick from it. But then again he also eats cat turds.  :-\
Title: Re: Sick from Black Locust?
Post by: Urufu_Shinjiro on January 08, 2016, 03:36:46 pm
Some hickory almost killed me a few months ago, I left it in the microwave too long and it caught fire filled the entire house with smoke, I guess that doesn't count though.

Wat almost killed you the fire/smoke or the wife?  >:D