>From: Sukie Crandall <[log in to unmask]>
>Fact is, that some individuals are allergic to pine so for them it
>poses a serious problem. Cedar, on the other hand, is a very real
>problem for all. Here's where you can by-pass
>rumors/disagreements-clouding-the-issue/say- so for some real facts
>on the topic:
>http://www.trifl.org/cedar.html
>Respiratory toxicity of cedar and pine wood:
Perhaps I'm misreading Sukie's conclusions to the paper, but the paper
also says that pine can cause a lot more problems including cancer,than
just allergic responses.
"Long-term exposure to red cedar or pine in humans can lead to a decrease
in forced expiratory volume, or FEV, a measure of lung capacity and
ability to breathe freely (Shamssain 1992, Cote 1990, Malo 1989).
Plicatic and abietic acids can both cause destruction and desquamation,
or sloughing, of alveolar, tracheal and bronchial epithelial cells (Ayars
1989)."
"Studies of workers exposed to pine dust also show that such work is
associated with significantly more respiratory symptoms and a greater risk
of airflow obstruction (Shamssain 1992), and the results of a German study
indicate that workers exposed to pine dust had more than a three-fold
increased risk of glottal cancer (relative risk = 3.18, 95% confidence
interval: 1.1-9.0) (Maier 1992). "
=========================
The following is extracted from a paper titled "The Dangers of Softwood
shavings" by George Flentke, PHD Univ of Wisconsin (this was written for
the House Rabbit Society but holds true for humans and ferrets)
"The phenols in the softwood (pine and cedar) shavings causes changes in
the liver's enzymes. Your rabbit's liver tries to remove the phenols by
producing more of certain enzymes that destroy these chemicals; this is a
natural part of you and your rabbit's defense against environmental
toxins. Our bodies always produces a low constant level of these
protective agents; the problem occurs when constant exposure to pine
phenols causes the rabbits to produce substantially larger quantities."
"The most characterized and potentially the most troublesome problem is
that these enzymes are also used to remove drugs. Remember that removing
drugs is just as important as their administration; we want the drugs to
have the desired effects and then go away when we no longer need them, so
knowing exactly how long they will be around is an important part of every
drug's action. If these enzymes are elevated, then the time a drug will
be in the body and have the desired effect is much less than predicted.
Some of the drugs affected are xylazine and ketamine, the most popular
injectable anesthesias. Other important drugs include dexamethasone,
theophylline and all of the opioid painkillers, such as butorphanol, that
are commonly used for bunnies. In rodents, for example, constant exposure
to phenol-containing litters reduced drug effectiveness by greater that
40%. This is the main objection to softwood litters. We as caretakers
are always limited in what safe drugs we can use on rabbits, and
decreasing their safety further by making them unpredictable should be
avoided if at all possible."
Jeff Johnstons paper cites studies from 1986-1995, but there are studies
going back to 1967 that discussed both pine and cedar (in rodent studies)
and found similar dangers in both forms of bedding. The US Dept of Health
and Human Services National Institutes of Health pamphlet no. 86-23,
Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals continues to warn against
"Aromatic hydrocarbons from cedar and pine bedding materials can induce
the biosynthesis of hepatic microsomal enzymes (Vesell) 1976 (Vesell et.
al.) 1981 (Cunliffe-Beamer)
Whew! So as I said yesterday, why use something that has the potential to
cause harm when there are so many safe products around!
Sandi
Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House
dba House Rabbit Society
a non-profit animal shelter
14325 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
(206)365-9105
Open 7 days/week or visit our on-line store at:
http://www.rabbitrodentferret.org
[Posted in FML issue 3580]
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