The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62249 Message #1005870
Posted By: Murray MacLeod
21-Aug-03 - 10:44 AM
Thread Name: Urgent: Chemicals in Piano Making?
Subject: RE: Urgent: Chemicals in Piano Making?
From Cranky Yankee's post above
"....."To my knowledge, except for Honduras mahogany, no wood used in musical instrument construction is toxic......." "Toxic" is a misleading and emotive word to use in this context. Literally it means poisonous, and Honduras mahogany is not poisonous. It can occasionally (as can any wood) cause an allergenic reaction , but not nearly as much as rosewood does. Some people can be affected, most people will not experience any ill effects.
Cocobolo, which is a very popular wood in high-end custom guitars, is notorious for the allergenic reactions caused by its sanding dust.
I am fortunate so far in not having experienced a reaction to anything except MDF dust ...