Is black locust carcinogenic?

[eastcreekarchery]

Ive heard its carcinogenic but the the only literature ive found says its poisonous when consumed. Anyone have a good source that says this? Im just curious about it

[Hawkdancer]

Moral: if beavers don't chew it, don't use it?! .  Also if it is on the internet, it may not be true!
Hawkdancer

[druid]

I think it is about saw dust in lungs. Potentionaly, all wood species dust can enlarge chance of lung cancer. If I remember good then tanine species (locust, oak) are on the top. But I never met anyone that got it. Know lot of people that mill black locust, it is the pest here.

[bassman]

Any saw dust in the lungs can't be good for you. I have heard that about Black Locust,and American Hornbeam can cause eye cancer according to some. Who,and were these claims come from who knows. Coffee, and eggs are bad for you. Then they are not. Then they are, and then they are not!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bassman]

I started out making fiber glass carbon, wood  lam bows. I quit making them because of the itch ,and brutal on the lungs when taking the mask off. Bamboo to me is similar to that ,so I stay away from that now to. Best idea is to wear a mask.

[Dances with squirrels]

I don't know about carcinogenic, but it's fluorescent... glows like crazy under a black light.

[bjrogg]

I don't know about carcinogenic, but it's fluorescent... glows like crazy under a black light.

Now that might make a Interesting full draw picture.
Bjrogg

[gifford]

Learn something new everyday it seems. Dayglo - Black Locust Bow..

[Dances with squirrels]

I'm full of silly useless knowledge like that. Lol.

Actually, that little bit can be useful. I went out and bought a black light so I could identify lams and boards in the shop. I was on a kick to label all the wood in the shop, guessed at a couple, but the black light proved me wrong.

[eastcreekarchery]

Ill have to try that black light trick squirrels. Thanks for input everyone.

[Dances with squirrels]

One more quick tip. The more freshly the wood is exposed, the more brightly it glows. So if it's old and oxidized, it may glow, but faintly. If you scrape it or sand it, it looks like it's radioactive.

[Hawkdancer]

Maybe the black light in the old bug zapper still works!  Got a bl stave in the shop curing!
Hawkdancer

[Eric Krewson]

I don't know about carcinogenic but most wood dust is toxic, especially for use guys who have worked in it for the last 25 years or so. For me it started with walnut dust, then osage and soon maple (flintlock stocks) and now even pine now gives me severe hay fever symptoms.

I run into more and more older bow makers' like myself that have to wear a cartridge respirator when they make bows.