Inhaling walnut wood dust

[andrew whicker]

Good morning,

I was a bit of an idiot and for two days in a row (for a few hours each day) did a lot of horizontal sanding of some laminated walnut WITHOUT a mask. Just one of those, I'll get this one piece done and then... (and then you keep going without ever putting on your mask).

Now I feel like I have the flu and I'm not sure if I actually have the flu or if I gave myself some sort of health issue by NOT wearing a mask...

Any experience with this?

Thanks much and cheers,

[mike stenson]

I have a nasty allergic reaction to desert ironwood (Olneya tesota), it leaves me with flooded sinuses, coughing, sneezing, puffy eyes, etc. So those are general cold/flu symptoms. Of course, many things are also going around right now as well. Again.

[andrew whicker]

That is true... I didn't think of that. However, I work alone mostly and didn't see many friends between now and the flu symptoms. I did hang out w/ friends over the weekend, but it was a climbing trip / outdoors..

[Andrew Hughes]

I’m allergic to walnut too. I get a rash on my arms and flu like symptoms.
I don’t sand but still pay the price if I dare
Bubinga is the worst for me. I don’t mess with anymore
Good Luck

[Doug Garson]

I have chronic sinus infection problems. As part of my preventative measures I do daily saline rinses using a Neilmed sinus rinse bottle. Anytime I expose myself to dust of any kind I do an extra rinse to clear my nasal passages and sinuses. You might want to pick up a sinus rinse kit and use it as I do if you feel you have exposed yourself to sander dust.

[Tom Trees]

To quote Rob Cosman
"I've never coughed up a wood shaving"...
is easier said than done, but the emphasis is which I try and abide by.

I don't have the proper leccy setup to have a decent Pentz DC system, @ 1000 CFM I believe, that being everywhere it needs to be,
but that would be a plan someday, as would be an air cleaner to accompany it if need be.
Dylos air quality monitors are mentioned here to keep an eye on things, of which I guess there's lots of alternatives to choose from since I've last looked.
It would be interesting if they could be got cheap these days?

Until then, it'll be a case of planning ahead if I need to use a machine, suitable clothing, minimal clutter to sweep easier
and go do the other stuff outta the shed afterwards for however long need be.

Hope your symptoms subside quickly, been there too and still weary of that happening again.

All the best
Tom

[Wes Grass]

A friend mills a lot of walnut. Has to wear a Tyvek suit now. A respirator... not a flimsy mask ... is mandatory if you're allergic ... which seems to be the result of exposure whether or not you had a reaction at the beginning.

[Jim Becker]

Some folks do indeed become sensitive to walnut dust...there was a locksmith who did some work for me a number of years ago at our old property. I originally was a woodworker and cabinetmaker, but got hit so bad by walnut dust that he had to leave the trade entirely because it also made him sensitive to almost all wood dust in a debilitating way. Just to drill for a lockset, he had to wear full PPE.

This past month I believe I was somewhat irresponsible myself with walnut dust given just how much it was coating the interior of my shop when I was cleaning up at the end of the combo kitchen island/eating table project I've been documenting. I clearly should have been using my mask more, but I am happy to say that i was running the air filter nearly full time once I realized there was an issue. And yes, the flu-like symptoms sound about right...

I hope you don't have any lasting issues.

[glenn bradley]

I work with a lot of walnut. On occasion I will be without PPE and think "I'll just do this one little thing" and it turns into more. Following this I pay the price. Find a mask that suits you, buy two, keep one wherever you keep yours normally and keep one next to your sanders or next to your vac. I have to outsmart myself to make sure I follow all the safety rules I say that I do

[Jonathan Jung]

I've worked almost only with walnut, black and claro, for several years and have never noticed anything. Other than that when I'm not around it, then I miss it.

I suppose you'd have to try again in a month or so?

[Gregory King]

Less than five minutes working with cedar will start me in a sneezing session for a while. Time to grab the mask

[Zachary Hoyt]

I had a strong immediate reaction to cocobolo from the first time I cut into a piece. I used it for that one fretboard that the customer requested and then have refused to use it since. I do wear a respirator often when sanding walnut, as it can make me feel unpleasant in the moment if I breathe in a lot, but it doesn't have a lasting effect after I leave the workshop. I'm sorry that you had such a strong reaction, and I hope it will not recur. Since it was laminated I'm also wondering if the glue could be a factor, in the dust.

[John Pendery]

The whole concept of species of wood that are sensitizers leaves me somewhat paranoid and crossing my fingers. Hearing stories like Jim mentioned of folks being forced to leave the trade due to developed allergic reactions over time seem like a cruel joke. I think I’ll remember to wear a dust mask today. Hope you feel better soon!

[Lee Schierer]

You might want to check out the chart at this site for woods that cause reactions in people.

[Jim Becker]

I had a strong immediate reaction to cocobolo from the first time I cut into a piece.

Same...I did exactly one project with this species years ago and have not touched it since. I could not breath correctly, my whole body itched, especially exposed skin during the work and it was a thoroughly unpleasant experience. And what was really the kicker was I actually did use a mask while doing the turning, carving and sanding with that project. I'm sad about it because it's such a beautiful wood species, but it is what it is.