Toxic woods/paints??

[Rebecca]

I heard/read that it gives off toxic fumes. But if you've had your cages for as long as you have and not had a problem I guess I wouldn't worry about it.

[eyespy]

Here ya go, Collide:

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/.../Cook/Cook.htm

[Collide]

Humm reading that it seems as though they are refering to bedding wood shavings, im using it for structure of my cages, I am planning to seal all my cages soon.im sure that it could produce the same effect in large peices but not as sevear. I have a cage free at the moment so i will start to seal that one and then rotate cages for upgrades lol.

thanks for that link

oh sealent

ill check to see if there are any old threds on sealent

[eyespy]

Doesn't matter whether shavings or the solid wood itself, there are the same biochemicals involved. Shavings sometimes have less because of water and heat exposure during processing.

[Rebecca]

Eyespy what is low-VOC epoxy or polyurethane sealant?? I was told by someone that epoxy is a plastic??

[eyespy]

Epoxy can be either plastic or a resin made from organic materials, and the organic stuff can outgas toxins. If it's low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) it's the plastic kind and safe to use. It's usually very prominently displayed on the front label when an epoxy has low volatile organic compound emission.

Polyurethane sealant is just that, polyurethane, a type of plastic and should have no other ingredients.

[Invictus]

Some of the big breeders in the states use Pine shavings fr their snakes without a problem. I've read their testimonials in Reptiles magazine all the time. We use it at the store with no ill effects at all. The thing about Pine is, if it has a very sweet, wood smell, it is very high in Phenol resins, which are toxic. If the pine has almost no smell at all (as with the stuff we use as well as many breeders), or if it has almost a dusty smell to it, it's safe.

ASPEN IS STILL BETTER THOUGH! lol

[eyespy]

Invictus, many necropsied reptiles show lung and liver abnormalities after being on pine. Toxicity doesn't always show external symptoms, especially when snakes don't have a diaphragm and so can't have the sort of dry cough that mammals get with irritated lung tissue.