Hello Emily,



	Well, (almost) anything sealed can be unsealed. Emptying sealed tin cans is common place for Museums and I can't see the vials being any harder to get into. I'm assuming the vials are glass which will take a little extra care but I find it hard to believe that the vials cannot be unsealed in some way. The donor may not want the vials emptied and is using the sealed vials as a reason.



William Shepherd

Collections Officer

Swift Current Museum

44 Robert Street West

Swift Current, Saskatchewan

S9H 4M9

Phone: 306-778-4815

Fax: 306-778-4818



-----Original Message-----

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack, Emily

Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2016 9:42 AM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Handling vials of plant essential oils



Does anyone have advice or experience related to handling plant essential oils? A donor from our university’s chemistry department is bringing a collection of antique scientific equipment that includes about 30 vials of essential oils (e.g. oil of sage, oil of rosemary, lemon, bergamot, etc.)



We’ve spoken with conservators who suggested emptying the vials, based on evidence that although the chemicals inside the vials may be inert, they can nevertheless emit vapors which may be corrosive to other materials in storage or display.  



When we told the donor, her response was that the vials are sealed/frozen shut and cannot be emptied. 



We’d be grateful for any advice/insight regarding this situation.



Thanks!



Emily   



---

Emily Jack

Digital Projects and Outreach Librarian

North Carolina Collection Gallery, Wilson Special Collections Library CB #3930, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27514-8890

(919) 962-4331

www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/gallery.html





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