Further to Dave and Pam's excellent comments, I'd like to refer you to a
publication that I wrote with Monona Rossol ten years ago and presented at
the 1995 American Institute for Conservation Annual Meeting in Minneapolis:

Rossol, M. and W.C. Jessup 1996. "No Magic Bullets: Ethical Considerations
for Pest Management Strategies", Museum Management and Curatorship, Vol. 15.
No. 2, pp. 145-168.

In this article we reported on testing done on collections materials where a
wide range of (unexpected) hazardous materials were found on the objects,
not just the mercury and arsenic compounds that have typically been used as
pesticides on natural science and anthropological materials in the past.

Therefore, we need to consider not only the damage that our hands or
improper materials can do to the objects.  As we state in the paper, gloves
also help to protect the person working with the collections from known and
unknown hazards such as pesticide residues, PCBs, etc. that may remain on
the objects.

Wendy Claire Jessup
Conservator
Wendy Jessup and Associates Inc. 
Care of Cultural Property 
933 North Kenmore Street, Suite 323 
Arlington, VA 22201 
(703) 522-2801 
FAX: (703) 522-2802 
www.collectioncare.com
  

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of David Harvey
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: To glove or not to glove

In addition to Pam's excellent observations I would also say that the
fatty acids found in human perspiration (and there is always some
measure on the skin) is of even more concern from the conservator's
viewpoint.  I have seen fingerprints permanently etches onto musket
and rifle barrels, silver, brasses, and many other historic metals; I
have seen deep soiling and deterioration of textiles and paper objects
from excessive handling. Of course certain materials are more
suscestible to deterioration than others. Tradionally, ceramic and
glasses objects have been handled by bare hands. These days, with so
many glove choices availiable, there is little need for that. You can
get gloves made from nitrile, vinyl, and latex. Avoid any materials
that contain rubbers or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Those dotted gloves
that are marketed by some of the musuem and archival suppliers have
been shown to contain either substance, andmany report dot patterns on
ceramics and glass as well as corrosion "dots" on metals - so those
gloves are to be avoided.

As far as the Antiques Roadshow goes it is my understanding, from
colleagues that gloves are not used because they conflict with the
production values of the show (time and appearance, etc.). (Notice
that many of the people on that show also wear jewlery, another
handling no-no).

The other consideration here is that when we museum and preservation
professionals are doing our tasks in the public eye, that we are
setting the example. If a member of the public sees a staff member or
contract professional handling an object or artifact with bare hands
then we may as well post a sign, "Please Touch!"

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California  USA

On 1/11/06, Pamela Silvestri <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Regardless (or in spite of) hand-washing, your skin still contains oils
-or
> even soap residue from the hand-washing, lint from paper towels, that can
be
>
> transferred to an object...including paper, which absorbs oil/residue more
> easily. Paper cuts -and of course any bleeding as a result, is completely
> avoided when wearing gloves. Anything breakable and/or has sharp edges
> carries  the
> risk of breaking the skin.
>
> Sometimes I'm surprised at the dirt/debris that ends up being picked up by
> the gloves! If I notice that, of course I change them. But this dirt
> wouldn't
> be  as noticeable on your hands as it is on the white gloves...although
bare
> hands  may pick less than the gloves - sometimes more.
>
> Snags - I've never had a problem with - it's my grip! I have small hands
to
> boot and the gloves can cause an object to slip from my grasp. I try to
> accommodate for this the best I can (using a container to transport an
> object,
> rather than carrying it 'unaided'.
>
> For any profession that requires the use of gloves...it is a given that
you
> become accustomed to the practice of using gloves and this makes it become
a
>
> habit. Having worked at a hospital, certain duties require the use of
gloves
> as  a part of 'universal precautions'. So perhaps thinking in terms of
> 'universal  precautions' is a better way for museum staff to regard the
use
> of  gloves.
>
> Pam
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 1/11/2006 10:36:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> About  this glove thing.
> What is the thinking on this now? A while back some  people where saying
> that freshly washed hands over a short period of  time
> was acceptable. I have never liked handling glazed ceramics with  gloves.
> And many objects snag so easily. I'm aware of the
> problems with  bronze, copper and brass so I glove up when I handle them.
> Other than that  I do a good hand washing and go
> at it.
> So how much trouble am I  in?
>
> Jerry Fahey
> Exhibits Designer
> The University  Museum
> Southern Illinois University at  Edwardsville
>
>
>
>
>
>
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