Andy wrote:
...
I'm planning a blanket chest lined with aromatic cedar, and I'm going
to use a tight-fitting lid, possibly even with weatherstripping. I've
heard of people making air-tight closets. Once the smell starts
decreasing, though, you can refresh it to some extent by sanding the
whole surface of the aromatic cedar lightly, then vacuuming or blowing
out the dust.

Meaning no offense but I have a different point of view:

I thought about that and decided not to make any chest airtight or
put a lock on it if the chest were large enough for a child to hide
inside when playing hide and seek. Especially unwise would
be a latch that automatically locks when the lid is closed. I
won't do that even if the chest or trunk is intended for a childless
household. I like to think that the stuff I make will survive myself
and the first generation to own it so there is no telling who will
use it in the future.

Eastern Aromatic Red Cedar (aka juniperus virginiana) is one of
if not the most toxic wood native to temperate North America.
"Blowing out" the dust is not a good idea, unless you can blow it
alll the way outdoors. If you vaccuum it, you should be sure that
you have a very good filter that does not let the fine dust pass
through.
Cheap vacuum filters throw fines into the air and create a worse
hazard than sweeping with a broom.

Incautious woodworkers who eschewed respiratory protection when
working with it have reported acute toxic effects (the next day)
similar
to the flu. Some have developed asthma. A cow-orker here had a
contact dermatitis for about six months after working with it.

I found myself with a scratchy throat and a cough shortly after
unloading three hundred board feet of it from my van. Now I use
a mask whenever I handle it in quantity.

As I heard a friend explain to his young son about his circular saw,
"You don't need to be afraid, you do need to be careful."

I'm happy to work with it, it's a beautiful wood.

Just respect it.

--

FF