[College of ACES] [University of Illinois] [Illinois CES]

Re: sycamore dust

KerryWKnorr@csi.com
Thu, 14 May 1998 02:02:50 -0500

I'm not so sure "toxic" is the right word. I would say dust from sycomores and London Planes is abrasive. Particles are fine enough to be readily inhaled and become a respiratory irritant to the point of violent reaction.

To say that these dusts are chemically active or systemic would be, in my opinion, to go too far. Molds and mildews, or spores of such in wood residues are potentially toxic materials to mammals such as humans.