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Wood: Frequently Asked Questions
We do not accept any organic jewelry (wood) back unless
jewelry is damaged in shipping or there is an error on our part with your
order.
· If you find a design that you would like in a size that is not listed,
please let us know and we will see what we can do.
· There is no guarantee that the design and size you
like will be in stock, so we recommend that with your purchase you include
a second and third option in the comments box if you want to receive wood
jewelry rapidly. If you list alternative jewelry options please list the
title of the jewelry exactly as it is listed online as well as the size you
would like to receive. We will contact you to let you know what is readily
available out of the options you’ve selected.
· With Bloodwood jewelry, the first few times the jewelry
is washed some red may wash off of the wood, this is normal and does not
affect the color or the longevity of the color of the wood.
· Woods do not react the same with everyone. Some people
have allergic reactions to certain types of wood. Ebony, Bloodwood, and Coconut
Wood rarely trigger allergic reactions and in our experience are the safest
to use. If you do have a reaction to a type of wood immediately remove the
jewelry, signs of a reaction include itchiness, burning, swollen lymph nodes,
blistering and lymph discharge. It is not reasonable for us to predict nor
are we (Kolo Body Arts Inc.) liable for any reaction to wood jewelry.
· An advantage of wood jewelry is its ability to absorb
your natural oils and sweat, this will reduce the “funk factor” you
may have experienced with metal or glass jewelry.
Care Instructions
· Do Not Autoclave.
· Do not soak in anything, including water.
· Clean Before wearing. Use antibacterial soap and water. Rinse and
dry immediately after washing.
· Do not leave in direct sunlight for extended periods.
· Do not store in extreme temperatures or the bathroom.
· Remove jewelry before bathing or swimming as water can cause premature
drying and cracking.
· Recommended for healed piercings only.
· Recondition once a month with natural oil. We recommend coconut oil.
A Guide to Hardwoods for the Piercing Community
With the proliferation of wood jewelry manufacturers on the
market, Esoteric Body, Organic, and Spectrum Craft have been working in partnership
to study various chemical compositions of individual hardwoods and their
effects on the human body, in hopes to provide you with some information
that could assist you in your wood jewelry selection. Over the past few years
we have undertaken extensive research on wearable hardwoods and have found
numerous woods not to be suitable. These potentially harmful species have
documented medical reactions that may result in contact dermatitis. We're
not talking about respiratory reactions to sawdust, but rather skin reactions
due to direct contact with the wood. It amazes us that jewelry manufacturers
don't take the responsibility to research their products before they offer
them to you the public. This message is not intended to inflame nor is it
directed to any specific manufacturing companies, but rather we hope for
it to be an aid to you and a guide with which you can use to navigate the
vast jewelry market. We just felt the need to pass along information that
we have gathered as we hope it could prevent hardwood jewelry enthusiasts
from having an unnecessarily bad experience with wood. We encourage you to
undertake your own research, to find your own answers. There is so much information
out there. We caution you not to believe a product is safe just because someone
offers it to the public. Many manufacturers pick their woods because they
are pretty but often they know little about the wood itself. There are many
wearable woods out there that are very safe, but unfortunately there are
many more hardwood species that are simply not safe to wear. It’s up
to you to be informed about what it is you are buying.
Health Concerns
Wood jewelry is one of the most comfortable and grounding materials we have
available to us. With the ever-increasing amount of suppliers trying to break
into the wood jewelry market, it has become a necessity to supply the industry
with this helpful guide to safer wood products. While most of the research
available to woodworkers is a good starting point, it was not designed as
a guide to wearable woods. The problem being is that the research is specific
to wood dust and not the actual skin contact with the wood. Wood dust produces
an extremely large amount of surface area, which has the potential to produce
much more extreme reactions than exposure to the amount of surface area that
is in contact with the skin in the case of wearable wood.
Only 2% to 5% of the population will develop an allergic sensitivity to
one or more compounds found in wood. Contact dermatitis from timbers is usually
attributable to contamination of the skin during machining. Handling of solid
wood rarely induces dermatitis, however any species that contains quinones,
especially Dalbergia species, may do so. (Calnan 1972).
After lengthy research we have put together this guide to help educate both
you the wearer and hopefully some of the manufacturers producing potentially
dangerous products.
Interestingly, most research seems to be reported based on only a few case
studies, many of which go back up to 100 years and these results are not
obtained by clinical studies with large sample groups. However, these isolated
cases should not be dismissed; they are very interesting in showing patterns
of cross-sensitivities, and many have been accompanied by positive patch
tests from extracts of the offending compounds.
“The structural components of wood are sellulose, hemicellulose, and
lignin, but it is the accessory sub stances or “extractives” found
mainly in the heartwood that are responsible for most toxic effects. Vorreiter
(1949/1958) classifies these as follows: (1) fats, resins, oils, and waxes
; (2) proteins, gums, latex, mucus, starch, and sugars ; (3) alkaloids, bitter
principles, dyes, tannins, glycosides, camphor, perfumes, etc. ; (4) inorganic
and organic acids and salts ; (5) minerals.”
“some of these act as food reserves for latent growth periods, some
as hardening agents, and others protect against mechanical injuries or attack
by bacteria, fungi, insects and larger animals (Dietrichs, 1958). Some are
metabolic by-products or end-products of no apparent use to the tree.”
Toxic Substances
Quinones
The culprit behind these allergies is a group of chemicals called quinones,
naturally occurring compounds, often used to make dyes. The quinones are
produced as defensive agents against fungal and predator attacks (including
me, the woodworker and you, the collector). Quinones play a major role in
allergic contact dermatitis caused by plants.
The primary allergens are benzoquinones or naphthoquinones but also compounds,
such as catechols, coumarins, and other phenolic or flavonoid compounds,
which are bioconverted into ortho-quinones or para-quinones. Catechol is
a main constituent of urushiol, which is the allergen in poison ivy.
It is possible that once sensitized to one of these quinones that cross
reactions to similar quinones and/or structures can develop. Included at
the bottom of this page is a list of some of the more popular woods that
are not suitable to wear.
PICTURE
Other Compounds
Some of the other compounds that are known to cause harmful responses include:
alkaloids and glycosides (systemic effects, pharmacological rather than allergic),
saponins (effective through broken skin only), phenols (the strongest skin-sensitizers,
especially the catechols of the poison ivy family), stilbenes (which occur
in allergenic woods, but only chlorophorin and coniferyl benzoate are known
to sensitize), tarpenes (including delta-3-carene from turpentine, sesquiterpene
lactones and other sensitizing liverworts found on bark, and euphorbol and
other complex terpenes on uncertain toxicity found in the latex of Euphorbiaceae),
furocourmarins (photosensitizing and may be partly responsible for skin reactions
but has yet to be proved), and dalbergiones (severe skin irritants).
Toxicity
The hazardous forms that may give rise to health risks are:
“The main effect is irritation. An irritant is something that can
cause inflammation or irritation. This can be caused by skin contact with
the wood, its dust, its bark, its sap, or even lichens growing on the bark.
Irritation can, in some species of wood, lead to nettle rashes or irritant
dermatitis. These effects tend to appear on the forearm, backs of the hands,
the face (particularly eyelids) neck, scalp and the genitals. On average,
they take 15 days to develop, but have been known to occur in a few hours
to many months. Symptoms usually only persist as long as the affected skin
site remains in contact with the source of irritation. Symptoms subside when
contact with the irritant is removed.
Sensitization dermatitis is more problematic and is usually caused by skin
exposure to fine wood dust of certain species. Sensitization is an allergic
reaction to a substance that is usually irreversible. Resulting in hypersensitivity
and susceptibility to being overly responsive. This is also referred to as
allergic contact dermatitis and results in similar skin effects to those
produced by skin irritants. Once sensitized, the body sets up an allergic
reaction, and the skin may react severely if subsequently exposed to very
small amounts of the wood dust. Cross-sensitization may develop where other
woods or even non-wood materials produce a similar response.”
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
An allergy is basically the negative health effects that result from the
stimulation of specific immune responses. Allergic contact dermatitis is
a form of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction that is dependant upon cell-mediated
immune function and the activity of T lymphocytes. The most frequent form
of allergic reaction is to small molecular weight materials such as chemicals
and proteins. These reactions are better known as contact hypersensitivity,
skin sensitization, and allergic contact dermatitis.
This occurs in 2 stages:
Stage 1 (Induction Phase): Initial contact may result in the allergen penetrating
the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the skin and binding to large
dendritic (branched) white blood cells in the epidermis called Langerhans
cells. The Langerhans cell (with the allergen on its membrane) migrates to
a nearby lymph node where special white blood cells, called effector T-cells,
are programmed to recognize the allergen. There are literally millions of
effector T-cells roaming throughout the blood and lymphatic system, each
with special receptor molecules on their membranes for a particular allergenic
chemical. T-cells patrol our circulatory system looking for invading cells
and viruses.
Stage 2 (Elicitation Phase): If you come in contact with the offending allergen
during a subsequent encounter, and effector T-cell may encounter it bound
to a Langerhans cell and attach to it by a complicated and specific recognition
system. The effector T-cell then produces multiple clones and releases special
proteins called lymphokines which attract a legion of different white blood
cells, including macrophages and cytotoxic (“killer”) T-cells.
The new army of white blood cells releases cytokines or proteins that destroy
everything in the vicinity including other skin cells, thus producing a blistering
rash.
Milder effects range from redness (Vasodilation) and itching (nerve injury)
to small blisters (vesicles and bullae). Stronger effects can result in Anaphylaxis,
which can occur in response to any allergen, while Anaphylaxis occurs infrequently;
it is life threatening and can occur at any time. Risks include prior history
of any type of allergic reaction.
Here is a small list of popular woods that should
be avoided.
We will continue to expand this list as we further
our research.
Most of this information is taken from:
Botanical Dermatology: Plants and Plant Products Injurious
to the Skin
Dalbergia spp: (Rosewoods) With "the
discovery of sensitizing quinones in other woods such as teak... led Schulz
and Dietrichs (1962) to look for similar sibstances in Dalbergia nigra and
Dalbergia retusa. They found three quinones which they called Dalbergia quinones
A, B, and C, and demonstrated by patch tests on patients that these were
the sensitizers, the strongest being R-3, 4-dimethoxydalbergione... They
have now been found in most other Dalbergia spp."
Dalbergia retusa: (Cocobolo) contains S-4'-hydroxy-4-methoxy
dalbergione, R-4-methoxy dalbergione and other quinones and phenols.
Dalbergia cultrate: (Burmese Rosewood) contains
a dalbergione.
Dalbergia nigra: (Brazilian Rosewood) contains
R-4-methoxydalbergione and other quinones.
Dalbergia latifolia: (East Indian Rosewood, Sonokoling)
contains R-4-methoxydalbergione and other quinones.
Dalbergia Cochinchinensis: (Laos Rosewood, Thai Rosewood,
Cochin Rosewood) contains R-4-methoxydalbergione and other quinones.
Dalbergia stevensonii: (Honduran Rosewood, Nagaed Wood,
Palissandre Honduras) contains a dalbergione.
Dalbergia decipularis: (Tulipwood) contains a
dalbergione.
Dalbergia frutescens:(Tulipwood) contains a dalbergione.
Dalbergia melanoxylon: (African Blackwood) contains
several quinones including S-4'-hydroxy-4-methoxydalbergione and S-4-methoxydalbergione.
Dalbergia cearensis: (Kingwood, de Violette, Violet Wood,
Violetta) contains a dalbergione, described as a very severe skin
irritant, often leading to persistent ulceration.
Dalbergia congestiflora: (Mexican Kingwood) contains
a dalbergione.
Dalbergia maritime: (Madagascar Rosewood, Bois de Rose)
contains a dalbergione.
Cordia dodecandra: (Zericote, Ziricote) Cross
reactions are possible with this species once sensitivity to R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione
(found in pao ferro and Dalbergia species), obtusaquinone (found in cocobolo,
and macassar quinone (found in macassar ebony) have developed.
Cordia elaeagnoides: (Bocote, Becote) Cross reactions
are possible with this species once sensitivity to R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione
(found in pao ferro and Dalbergia species), obtusaquinone (found in cocobolo,
and macassar quinone (found in macassar ebony) have developed.
Peltogyne densiflora: (Purpleheart) "Dlaberginoes
have been isolated from the wood."
Tetraclinis articulata: (Thuya Burl) The heartwood
of this species is known to contain several dermatologically active compounds
including thymoquinone, carvacrol, and B-and ?-thujaplicins.
Tectona grandis: (Teak) The "dermatic compounds" (sensitizers)
lapachol (aka tecomin, a quinone), desolzylapachol, and lapachonole (aka
lapachonone) were found in Tectona wood. Lapachol has been called "a known
elicitor of contact dermatitis" and a "sensitizing agent." "Deoxylapachol
and lapachenole... are potent cotact allergens." "Local
races of teak and even individual trees vary greatly in desoxylapachol content." "Lapachenole
has been shown to be both irritant and sensitizing" by Sandermann & Barghoorn
(1955). "Indonesian natives have long distinguished three grades of the wood,
the poorest (Djati sempoerna) being liable to cause skin irritation"
Pterocarpus soqauxii: (Padauk) can cause irritation
to the skin, dermatitis, and sensitizer. It can have naphthoquinones. Cross-sensitivity
may occur with use of Bocote when sensitivity has been developed to related
quinones.
Machaerium scleroxylon: (Pau Ferro) has dalbergiones.
It can cause dermatitis, itching, swelling, redness of face, scrotum, and
hands.
Guibourtia tessmannii: (Bubinga) "Dermatitis,
possibly caused by sensitizing quinones."
Diospyros celebica: (Macassar Ebony) contains
macassar II, a B-naphthol "derivative that may become oxidised in vivo to
macassar quinone. This compound has been shown to have sensitizing properties
in guinea pigs. Cross-sensitivity to other naphthoquinones" three found in
zericote, pao ferro, cocobolo, becote, and padauk are possible. "Later
testing confirmed sensitivity to R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione (found in pao
ferro), obtusaquinone (found in cocobolo), and macassar quinone (found in
macassar ebony)." Wood of this secie is one of the only ones that these substances
have been proven to be found in. "The yellow naphthoquinone pigment, plumbagin
(methyl juglone) occurs in a colourless combined form and is liberated from
root tissue by acid treatment. (Harborne 1966)... Plumbagin is also found
in some species of the families Drosercaseae, Ebenaceae, and Euphorbiaceae
(Thomson 1971)... Plumbagin has an irritating odor and causes sneezing; it
stains the skin to a purple color and has a vesicant action."
Cinnamomum Camphora: (Camphorwood) The wood contains
camphor and borneol. Following cases of serious toxiciry and even death in
children, products containing more than trace quantities of camphor have
now largely been withdrawn from teh market (Reynolds 1996). "Can cause dermatitis
and shortness of breath" and camphor causes mild heart stimulant activity.
Topically applied, it can penetrate the skin."
Milletia laurentii: (Wenge) can have central nervous
system effects, give dermatitis, irritate skin, is listed as a sensitizer,
and is oily.
Acer saccharum: (Suger Maple) "This specieshas
been found to contain 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone which is a known contact
allergen."
Salix spp: (Willow) contains salicin, a phenolic
glucoside, and is a precuror of aspirin, also has saligenin, a known contact
allergen. Willow is also listed as a sensitizer.
Betula spp: (Birch) contains salicylates such
as methyl salicylate, Cross-sensitivities could occur in those with aspirin
allergies. Birch also listed as a sensitizer.
Dymondwood is a manufactured wood product consisiting of
layers of birch veneer which have been dyed with aniline dye and
then compressed under head and pressure with acrylic resins into a dense,
durable, highly polished material. Aniline dyes have been proven to be carcinogenic
as well as sensitizing agent causing allergic contact dermatitis.
Aniline Dye (in Dymondwood)
Warning: this dye is also commonly used overseas to dye wood to make it
appear as black ebony. Unfortunately, this practice is more common that you
would believe.
Skin Contact: May be absorbed through skin. Symptoms of skin absorbtion
parallel those from inhalation exposure. may cause skin irritation. Local
contact may cause dermatitis.
Chronic Exposure: Aniline is a blood toxin, causing hemoglobin to convert
to methemoglobin, resulting in cyanosis. Lengthy or repeated exposures may
result in decreased appetite, anemia, weight loss, nervous system affects,
and kidney, liver and bone marrow damage. Any exposure may cause an allergic
skin reaction.
Skin Protection: Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves,
lab coat, apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Environmental Toxicity: This material is expected to be very toxic to terrestrial
life and to aquatic life.
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