Health Hazards of Boatbuilding Woods

摘要

In this issue of WoodenBoat (page 34), Daniel Erwin discusses some of the hazards that vapors, fumes, and dust particles present to boatbuild-ers working in their shops. He covers a wide swath, including wood dust, and provides various kinds of solutions for boatbuilders working with "toxic" woods. As an adjunct to Mr. Erwin's article, I will provide additional information about which woods are the culprits that pose the greatest potential risk to boatbuilders. Much of this information can be found in a 1985 article I wrote for the American Journal of Industrial Medicine ("Health Hazards of Natural and Introduced Chemical Components of Boatbuilding Woods," No. 8, 241-251). I can provide photocopies of the article for anyone interested. Also, your local library may have the definitive book on the subject, Toxic Woods, by Brian Woods and CD. Calnan, first published in 1976 in the British Journal of Dermatology (vol. 95, pp. 1-97).