I have done a lot of woodworking. I know that I get severe headaches when I create sawdust while cutting or sanding oak lumber unless I wear a quality respirator. Not pine, ash, fir but only oak.
I have a long list of environmental sensitivities. Many of them started after I turned 35 years of age. Avoidance is the best thing. However if you decide to continue working with the offensive wood you may wish to use a barrier cream, or petroleum jelly to cover ares that will be exposed to the sawdust and resins. You can then shower afterwards to get rid of dust that may be in your hair or on top of the barrier cream. You may also wish to consider wearing gloves, tight fitting shirts, respirator, tyvek etc. Ed Engelman www.EdEngelman.com
