Stain on Pine

[lowpolyjoe]

I'm building a small table out of some white pine I milled a few years ago with my chainsaw mill setup.  It has pretty bad staining on parts.  I don't mind the look too much since it will mostly be hidden, but I was wondering if that stain means there is any sort of live fungus or bacteria growing?

Wood was stickered for maybe 3 years (?) but only partially covered.  I just brought it inside a few days ago.  When machining it down to usable size I was hoping I could avoid all the stain, but I couldn't. 

Are there any health concerns associated with using lumber with this type of staining?






Thanks a lot,
Joe

[bkaimwood]

I know that this stain, which appears to be "blue stain", is caused by a bacteria, mold, or fungus feeding off the sugars in the wood (mostly the sapwood) when the humidity, moisture content, temperatures, and other conditions are right. I know it has the potential to cause health concerns in rare instances when an individual is sensitive to such things...I have, however, never experienced it, or know anyone who has. I would also think that once the project is finished, polyurathaned or whatever, that that should "seal" the lumber from potential hazards. I wouldn't be the least bit concerned, but that's me...

[69bronco]

Looks good to me.. Run with it!

[samandothers]

It will make a nice accent and conversation piece.

[Bruno of NH]

I build and sell things made with blue stained pine .
I also sell it at the mill .
Bruno

[lowpolyjoe]

Thanks for the feedback guys. 

The table is being built to hold a couple of hamster cages.  I think little critters can be susceptible to respiratory problems so I'm slightly more worried than I would be in general (since they will literally spend their entire lives on top of it).

I was planning to finish it with water based poly.  I dislike the look of it, but shellac (my favorite finish) just won't hold up to the random water splashes that are inevitable with a critter cage.  Perhaps several coats of that will seal in any airborne stuff.

[WDH]

It will be fine.  The blue stain fungus has long expired.  It cannot live in dry wood.  You are good to go.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Indeed. This is blue stain which is caused by blue colored fungi.  The fungi,are active only when the wood's moisture content is above 22% MC.  However, when dry, there are fungi spores.  A few people are allergic to these spores, especially when the wood is sanded and the spores are in the air.