| In answer to your question - yes the urushiol oil does eventually "go away" but it can take years. I took an old vine that had been dead for about 8 or 9 years and used the white paper trick - no black spots. I even handled the log with bare hands (yes I am allergic) with no issue. It all depends on environmental conditions as to how long it can take before that wood is ok to handle. I've read that it can take 5 years or more. BUT I've also read about toilet seats coated in a lacquer containing urushiol oil that caused outbreaks decades later. So... YMMV... |
