The Dangers
of Softwood Shavings
Animal Environment,
Housing, and Management
from The Guide for the Care and Use of Laoratory Animals, 1996,
National Academy of Sciences
The section on bedding reads: Softwood beddings have been used, but
the use of untreated softwood shavings and chips is contraindicated for some protocols
because they can affect animals' metabolism (Vesell 1967; Vessell and others 1973, 1976).
Cedar shavings are not recommended, because they emit aromatic hydrocarbons that induce
hepatic microsomal enzymes and cytotoxicity (Torronen and others 1989; Weichbrod and
others 1986, 1988) and have been reported to increase the incidence of cancer (Jacobs and
Dieter 1978; Vlahakis 1977)
Environmental
Factors Affecting Laboratory Animals and Their Impact on Biomedical Research
Respiratory toxicity of
cedar and pine wood: A review of the biomedical literature from 1986 through 1995
Warning
about Pine and Cedar Bedding
PetBunny
Discussion List: Selected abstracts regarding effects of pine and cedar shavings
Use of
Cedar as a Substrate
Why you
Should Not Use Cedar Shavings as Pet Bedding
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