Hello,  At a museum I worked at a few years ago the beer cans in their 
collection had been punctured in the bottom with a small nail and the 
substance drained out.  As a museum tech I also had the lovely job of 
opening, emptying and cleaning a World War (one or two-I just can't 
remember) mess kit.  The sugary stuff had melted in their wrappers, but the 
canned goods were just gross.  The OJ in one can had started to eat away the 
interior of the can, other were starting to expand.  We took pictures of 
before, during and after and yes I held my breath and wore rubber gloves. 
Once cleaned we were able to properly store the mess kit with out worry of 
anything exploding, leaking or attracting bugs/rodents.

Marielle



**********************
Marielle Fortier
Museum Registrar
Vermont
**********************




>From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Exploding Beer Damage
>Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 11:24:01 -0400
>
>Due to the unseasonably warm weather, a sealed can of beer in storage has 
>exploded/leaked.  The sticky liquid splattered on some metal objects, 
>mainly cutlery and tin boxes.  I have since moved susceptible unopened 
>containers to a more stable environment.
>
>I would appreciate any suggestions on treating objects damaged from this 
>form of "alcohol abuse."
>
>I was also wondering, has there been a discussion with this group before 
>concerning keeping unopened cans of liquid/dried food in a collection?
>
>Regards,
>
>Joshua K. Blay
>Museum Curator
>Historical Society of Berks County
>
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