Is balsa wood dust toxic?

[ResinEren]

I don't know if I should be posting this in the Replica Props category, but here's a quick question, is balsa wood dust toxic? I know breathing in fine dusts is bad, but will the dust give you cancer? I don't use a gas mask when sanding, I use the paper masks and safety goggles. Is that alright?

 

[hypevince]

no cancer, but you can get lung problems from breathing in wood particles, the paper masks should even be enough

 

[ResinEren]

Thanks!

 

[Jedifyfe]

Isn't everything toxic now a day? Lol

 

[Darth Lars]

Some adhesives that are sometimes used with wood could cause cancer. Epoxy is infamous for that.

 

[CSMacLaren]

Here's an entry. Scroll down to "Toxicity":

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/balsa/

 

[NormanF]

Here's an entry. Scroll down to "Toxicity":

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/balsa/

Darn it, I was going to post that!

I use that website every time I go to buy wood for anything I'm doing. There are some beautiful woods that I will never use because of this.