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Working with certain hardwoods, especially exotic tropical woods, can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Some reactions are minor like eye irritation. Other reactions could be potentially fatal. Here is a toxicity chart of woods and their potential allergic reactions. This is not an exhaustive list. Please use care when working with any wood you are unfamiliar with. If you'd like a printable PDF version of this chart for your shop, you can download it here. Wood Reaction Site Potency Source Incidence Bald Cypress S R + D R Balsam Fir S E, S + LB C Beech S, C E, S, R ++ LB, D C Birch S R ++ W, D C Black Locust I, N E, S +++ LB C Blackwood S E, S ++ W, D C Boxwood S E, S ++ W, D C Cashew S E, S + W, D R Cocobolo I, S E, S, R +++ W, D C Dahoma I E, S ++ W, D C Ebony I, S E, S ++ W, D C Elm I E, S + D R Goncalo Alves S E, S ++ W, D R Greenheart S E, S +++ W, D C Hemlock C R ? D U Iroko I, S, P E, S, R +++ W, D U Mahogany S, P S, R + D U Mansonia I, S N E, S +++ + W, D D C Maple (Spalted) S, P R +++ D C Mimosa N ? LB U Myrtle S R ++ LB, D C Oak S C E, S ++ ? LB, D D R U Obeche I, S E, S, R +++ W, D C Oleander DT N, C ++++ D, W, LB C Olivewood I, S E, S, R +++ W, D C Opepe S R + D R Padauk S E, S, R + W, D R Pau Ferro S E, S + W, D R Peroba Rosa I R, N ++ W, D U Purpleheart N ++ W, D C Quebracho I C R, N ++ ? LB, D D C U Redwood S, P C E, S, R ++ ? D D R U Rosewoods I, S E, S, R ++++ W, D U Satinwood I E, S, R +++ W, D C Sassafras S DT C R N + + ? D D, W, LB D C R U Sequoia I R + D R Snakewood I R ++ W, D R Spruce S R + W, D R Walnut, Black S E, S ++ W, D C Wenge S E, S, R + W, D C Willow S R, N + D, W, LB U Western Red Cedar S R +++ D, LB C Teak S, P E, S, R ++ D C Yew I DT E, S N, C ++ ++++ D W, D C C Zebrawood S E, S ++ W, D Reaction I – irritant S – sensitizer C - nasopharyngeal cancer P - pheunomitis, alveolitis (hypersensitivity pneumonia) DT - direction toxin N - nausea, malaise Site S – skin E – eyes R – respiratory C – cardiac Source D – dust LB - leaves, bark W – wood Incidence C – common U - uncommon R – rare What is a sensitizer? The more you are exposed to wood, the more sensitive you get to its exposure and the more severe your reactions are. Note: This is not an exhaustive list. You should use care when working with any wood you are unfamiliar with.