Just a note about using non-cotton gloves (ie., "plastic gloves")

Some people have serious reactions to latex gloves which can range from
simple skin irritation to full-blown reactions on a par with bee-stings.  Be
really careful if you issue latex and warn volunteers to discontinue use at
the first sign of discomfort or skin reaction.  The other type of non-cotton
glove is vinyl.  These work well although you have to be aware that they
often have a fine white gloving powder on them (talc) which can get smeared
all over an artifact if someone is oblivious to the presence of the powder.
 It pays to make it an habitual practice to wipe off these gloves when you
first don them before handling an object.

If you are wearing non-cotton gloves for a period of time you will tend to
sweat within these gloves (they don't breathe) and this can lead to mild
dermetitis.  In this instance, if touch-sensitivity isn't a concern, you can
wear cotton gloves inside of the vinyl or latex, which makes the process much
more comfortable.

Dave

David Harvey
Conservator of Metals & Arms
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, Virginia  23187-1776  USA
voice:     804-220-7039
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]