skin reaction to osage dust??

[adb]

I dont get itchy but osage and especially ipe will tighten up my chest at the base of my neck and its not comfortable so I wear a good respirator. I think dust masks are almost useless.

Dust masks are useless. They only work for maybe a minute or two, until they become completely clogged with dust, and then you might as well not wear it. I noticed with osage, ipe, and yew, that when I was using my belt sander, I would get a bit short of breath, and dizzy. And yes, yew is toxic. The berries and needles are extremely poisonous, so I don't imagine the dust is any better. I'm sure it probably causes cancer, as well. Please everyone, invest in a good respirator mask, and use it!

[billy]

I've never noticed the itching reaction before...it seems to have come about only recently.  I am not allergic to anything...I can eat pollen for breakfast with no reaction.  But osage seems to be what's causing my itching problem  I'll wear long sleeves and a respirator from now on whenever working with it. 

[islandpiper]

Tracy, a lot of woodwind instrument makers get very sensitive to cocobolo.   it is really nasty stuff. 

piper

[Stoker]

When using a power sander or any other tool that makes a lot of dust most hook up to a shop vac and I use a north half mask with hepa filters (the purple ones) same thing they use for asbestoes. Wood  antler and other stuff is just as bad for you. Thanks Leroy

[adb]

I have all my dust producing power tools hooked up to a Delta 1HP dust filtration system, with 4" collection lines. However, I still wear my respirator.