Yes I, too, encountered an old-time taxidermist in the 1980s who was still treating with arsenic and thought anyone who didn't was a real wimp. After all, wasn't he living proof that it didn't harm you? !! Pat Miller At 08:22 AM 10/23/2006, you wrote: >Please note that date is not a definite indicator as to whether or >not a specimen may be contaminated with arsenic. My father was a >taxidermist from about 1966 until 1990 or so, so I do have some >first hand experience with the subject. There are still older people >in the field who still treat with arsenic. I know of one local >gentleman in particular, in his early 70s, who told me for a fact >that he used it into the 1980s, and indicated that he may still do >so. I contacted him about specimens we have in closed cases when I >was ready to test for arsenic. He told me not to bother testing most >of them. He knew they were contaminated because he had been the one >to treat them with it in the late 1970s/early 1980s. At least he >saved me some work, but it wasn't exactly the answer that I wanted to hear! > >Arsenic test kits are available from scientific supply houses and >are relatively easy to use. > >We have an 1850s trading post with skunk, deer, beaver and raccoon >pelts for touching. We buy them from a source that we know. These do >have to be replaced periodically, because they become worn very >quickly with all of the rubbing and loving they receive from school children. > >I definitely recommend looking at the NPS Conserve O Gram, as well. > > >Lisa Shockley, Collections Technician >Union Station/Kansas City Museum >30 W. Pershing Road >Kansas City, MO 64108 > >816-460-2055 > >"Where there is Peace; there is Culture; >Where there is Culture; there is Peace." >Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947) > >---------- >From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] >On Behalf Of Meg Goetz >Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 11:27 AM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Arsenic on Black Bear skin? > >Short answer: yes arsenic was used on taxidermy specimens and all >bird and mammal specimens prepared before 1970 should be tested. > >Long answer: the NPS Museum Handbook Part 1 (Chapter 11, Section E) >and NPS Conserve O Gram "Arsenic Health and Safety Update" would be >a good resources for you in handling and testing the specimen >(available through the NPS website). To identify arsenic look for >powdery or crystalline deposits in the fur, along the eyes, in or at >the base of the ears, around mouth, along ventral incision, at the >base of the tail, on foot pads, and of course be wearing plastic >gloves and a smock of some sort. You can also purchase a arsenic test kit. > >hope this helps! >----- Original Message ---- >From: AnnitaL <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 10:45:10 PM >Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Arsenic on Black Bear skin? >I've read online that taxidermists once used arsenic in processing some >animal furs. When we learned about this, we carefully removed our black bear >skin from the exhibit area (it was never in a place that it could be >touched) to await testing. This thing includes the head, paws, claws and all. > >The mom of one of our volunteers previously worked in that industry and she >told her daughter that she'd never heard of this, and that it sounded like >bunk. > >The daughter, consulting with another volunteer, decided it was ok to bring >the skin back into the exhibit area, and placed it where it can be touched >by visitors. > >I'm looking for guidance in this... anyone out there have experience >with these? > >Thanks, > >Annita L > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at ><http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/>http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ >. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by >sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . >The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail >message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > >========================================================= Important >Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail >message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail >message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). >========================================================= Important >Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail >message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail >message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). Patricia L. Miller, Executive Director Illinois Heritage Association 602 1/2 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 359-5600 [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).