Our food makes direct contact with cutting boards. So, having a food-safe cutting board is a must. Hence, it's apparent that they are built with non-toxic wood. Certain types of trees can produce toxins that can negatively impact your health, however. These include: Ash: Irritant to the hands and the lungs. Pine: causes Runny nose, and asthma and is irritant to the lungs and hands. Oak causes Asthma and is a sensitizer and irritant to the eyes, hands and lungs. Steer clear of these cutting boards because they can release toxins into your food while you're cooking. Research shows that maple, oak, and walnut are the least types of wood to produce toxins. Exotic woods, such as purpleheart, should not be used for kitchen projects. keep yourself on the safe side and always select wood from trees that provide fruits, sap, or nuts for consumption. It's important to make sure any adhesive used on the cutting board is non-toxic.