Elizabeth,
 
Germs on the tables will be much less than germs in the air transmitted by the breath of the visitors.  If any infections occur, they can be attributed to this mechanism.  I would not worry about cleaning the tables.  In fact, most disinfectant cleaners pose a risk to the finishes or woods of the tables, and the best alternative is to do nothing.  What might occur (but also may not be significant with occasional touching) is the buildup of oils from the fingers of visitors.  These could serve a mediums for mold/mildew growth.  However, this will only occur if the RH in the space is above 65% for extended periods of time.  Below this threshold, no growth will occur.  Remember the Hippocratic oath - "first, do no harm."  Generally for preservation of historic objects, this translates to "first, do nothing."  Good luck, and please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
 
Marc

American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
     4 Rockville Road
     Broad Brook, CT 06016
     www.conservator.com
     860-386-6058
 
*Collections Preservation Consultation
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Marc A. Williams, President
     MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
     Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
     Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Elizabeth Becker
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 1:09 PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Disinfecting Historic Wood

Greetings Everyone!
 
I am a graduate student intern at the Indiana Medical History Museum and my director has asked me to investigate this topic.
 
We have round, wooden topped tables throughout our establishment (an old pathology building of a state hospital) that are original to the building (completed in 1896). They are round tables located in the laboratories and are at a height that begs for visitors to put their hands on.
 
While we are not necessarily overly concerned with the minimal touching they receive, we are concerned that visitors (and volunteers) will be concerned with the germs/bacteria that visitors might be bringing in when cold and flu season is upon us.
 
Does anyone know of a way to disinfect this historic wood that will not damage it? Or, does anyone know of a resource that might be available? A book, expert, website that we can investigate?
 
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you in advance and have a great weekend!
Elizabeth

--
Elizabeth Becker
Graduate Student, Public History
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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