It is possible, if you wear nitrile gloves and don't put your face in
them and inhale deeply the furs you should be fine. :)  Oh and try to
resist the urge to lick them. :D

On 12/16/11, John E Simmons <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Arsenic was commonly used in preparing taxidermy mounts (usually as
> arsenical soap that was rubbed inside the skin) and study skins of animals
> (usually as arsenic powder that was dusted inside the skin).
>
> It is unlikely that arsenic was used in the preservation of skins that were
> worn as clothing because the methods of application.
>
> It is possible that arsenic powder could have been used for pest control
> when the objects were not being worn, however.
>
> --John
>
> John E. Simmons
> Museologica
> 128 E. Burnside Street
> Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010
> [log in to unmask]
> 303-681-5708
> www.museologica.com
> and
> Adjunct Curator of Collections
> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
> Penn State University
> University Park, Pennsylvania
> and
> Lecturer in Art
> Juniata College
> Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
>
> On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 10:55 AM, Upham Mansion
> <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
>> Dear Fellow Listers,****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I am trying to determine (before spending funds on a test kit) if the fur
>> coats, stoles and muffs we have in our collection may contain arsenic.****
>>
>> I’ve looked online, read the NPS information CCI information and the
>> Museum Listserve archives and have learned that a form of arsenical soap
>> was used in the preservation process for taxidermy (mainly to prevent
>> insect infestation) but my question is-  is there a possibility that our
>> furs (some dating back to the early 1900s) contain arsenic?****
>>
>> Thank you!****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Kim Krueger****
>>
>> Coordinator****
>>
>> North Wood County Historical Society****
>>
>> 212 W. 3rd****
>>
>> PO Box 142****
>>
>> Marshfield, WI 54449****
>>
>> 715.387.3322****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
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>
>
>
> --
>
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