On 19-Jul-2005, "Mungo Bulge" wrote:

There is an othe drawback to Boiled Linseed oil, and that is printed
on the lable: "Use of this product will expose you to arsenic,
beryllium, chromium, cadmium and nickel, which are known to cause
cancer; and lead which is known to cause birth defects and other
reproductive harm."

This is true of any finishing oil with heavy metal driers, including tung.

There is an other anomaly with linseed oil. When linseed oil dries, it
releases heat. The more linseed oil, the greater the heat. A pile of
rags or paper towels soaked with linseed oil can actually start
burning without warning, leading to the manufacturer's warning that
all oil-soaked rags should be stored under water in a covered, metal
container.

Also true of any finishing oil. If it polymerizes, it's an exothermic reaction.

Mike