Cocobolo sensitivity....

[T Folts]

I have developed a sensitivity to cocobolo. I have one bow I am finishing up so that will be the last time I use it. I am not sure if other woods are bothering me but hope this is it. I know I need to clean the shop of all residue dust. Anyone else have this issue and what did you do about it.

[Roy from Pa]

I had a big problem with a severe IPE reaction. Still have minor issues with too much other dust. See a dermatologist once a year for prescription hand and face creams. I wear gloves now when rasping or sanding. In extreme dust I wear a respirator and face mask. Also have a dust collection system in the ceiling and bought a dust deputy which "really" cuts down on dust.

[kennym]

Coco is rough on me too, developed the sensisitivy over time, now breaks me out in a rash and burns my eyes. I just don't touch it anymore.

[BrushWolf]

Bocote is my nemesis. I still use it but I wear a respirator with long sleeves and gloves. A good shower after working with it doesn't hurt either.

[Mad Max]

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
I had a big problem with a severe IPE reaction. Still have minor issues with too much other dust. See a dermatologist once a year for prescription hand and face creams. I wear gloves now when rasping or sanding. In extreme dust I wear a respirator and face mask. Also have a dust collection system in the ceiling and bought a dust deputy which "really" cuts down on dust.

Roy get's in a biohazard  suite to use a tooth pick  

[Bowjunkie]

I've used those mentioned over the years but never had a reaction. However, I know too many folks who have, to other woods too, as well as reactions to finishes, glues, and solvents.

They seemed to be ok for years and then developed an intolerance over time. One friend of mine is now super sensitive. It's almost as though our immune systems can only 'handle' those toxins for so long without showing outward symptoms. Scary when you think about what else they could be doing to us that we CAN'T see. I've taken some precautions, but I'm going to start doing a better job of reducing my exposure.

[LittleBen]

Cocobolo gets me too. Took a while to get sensitivity to it, but it got me eventually. I get eczema on my neck, hands, wrists, inside elbows, regardless of where the dust touches me.

I still use it but I wear a respirator, use dust collection and a hanging air filter, wear long sleeves, never work with it in warm weather (pores opened up from sweating) and I shower afterwards.

I do this with any rosewoods because I find I'm allergic to them all now. And I wear a respirator regardless of wood type.

Lastly, I try to use hand tools or tools that cut and make shavings instead of tools that make dust.

[Robertfishes]

Last year I built a one piece recurve using black phenolic and purple heart for the riser and purple heart tapers. Every time I cut or sanded on the riser I would get a banging head ache within 5 or 6 minutes. I always wear a respirator when sanding..I was told  that maybe it was from the dust on my skin.. I think it was the phenolic that I had problems with?? that was the only time I used purple heart so I'm still not sure.  I have used Rosewoods but have not had a problem yet.

[BenBow]

Coco did that to me and I had to wear a tyvek suit, rubber gloves, eye goggles, a hood, and respirator to vacuum everything down. Lacewood was the worst I broke out like poison ivy all over. Had to set down the whole shop.  Good luck and be careful.

[Roy from Pa]

Some of you guys are just dainty little flowers...  

[Wagstaff]

I had the same thing happen to me..  We always wear protective gear and respirator when sanding Anything..  

...Then there was that ONE time, that I handled a freshly sanded cocobolo riser and touched my face..

My face swelled up like crazy, and sent me to the Dr..

It took almost a week to get back to normal!  

The thing is.. I LOVE working with Cocobolo, so I just take the extra precautions...  And never touch my face while working with it!

[Roy from Pa]

IPE did that to me. My whole face was swollen and burnt red like I fell into a fire. Eyes were almost swollen shut.

[stickmonkey]

Yes. All woods are desensitizers but the exotics tend to be more prolific. It may not bother you now but the more contact you have with it will eventually lead to a reaction. that is just how desensitizer work. Same for epoxies. Coco bothers me now with a rash but aronko, African Teak, made me think i was having a heart attack. That was 8 years ago on a take down which felt like it was taking me down.
 
 Since then I added several commercial air filtering devices. One for the bulk dust down to .5 microns and an overhead unit that filters particulates down to .2 which is virus size. I wear long sleeves, gloves and a hat now and remove it all when exiting the shop. I still wear a half mask when grinding G10 or fiberglass in addition to the above. When I am done with the equipment I go over it with a hose from the commercial unit to get up inside the equipment as there is always a lot of dust that does not vacuum out on its own.

 I generally shower after grinding G10 or any exotic handles. I grind a lot of knives, hundreds, in the shop yearly and now i am building the bows in the same shop so I have to go the extra mile to keep the dust out as best i can.

[stickmonkey]

Originally posted by Robertfishes:
.. I think it was the phenolic that I had problems with?? that was the only time I used purple heart so I'm still not sure....

Robert you may be sensitive to phenolic but its more likely that its the purple heart. It is very toxic and unless purple heart is sealed its toxins will leech into the body through your skin.

[nashoba]

Stickmonkey I had the same reaction with bloodwood, was in a hurry and didn't turn on the dust collector while I was using a drill press mounted drum sander. About 1/2 hour later I broke out in a cold sweat neck and chest pains almost had my wife call an ambulance .

[T Folts]

My shop has a dust collector and a air filtration. I have been using a respirator and was still getting it. My eyes were swollen and red as was part of my face. I started paying attention to not touching my face and washing as soon as I was done. I now have very minor issues. But when this bow is done I will not be using it anymore, just not worth it.

[stickmonkey]

Thats where I am with it as well. I have been using future wood from OMC without issues but i do have some Katalox coming so we will see what it does.

[Bodork]

Made several bows with cocobolo with no problem at all. Was making one with cocobolo and bacote several years ago and developed a rash, swollen eyes and all that nice stuff. Learned it was the cocobolo so I don't use it anymore. I miss it though. It sure is pretty.