These items with arsenic need to be wrapped in polyetylene bags and segregated from the rest of the collection in an area set up for contaminated objects. The bags need to be clearly labeled as to the hazard. Consider anything else in storage near these items to be contaminated too unless testing proves they aren't. All due caution in this. It is far easier to deal with contaminated objects than contaminated staff or visitors. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant Los Angeles CA On Dec 16, 2011 11:37 AM, "Upham Mansion" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Thank you for the responses so far... > > No plans on being too up close and personal with these items - but they are > intermingling in a closet with other textiles and come out on display during > the winter months - mainly on mannequins or on a bed. > Kim > > -----Original Message----- > From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf > Of Elizabeth Walton > Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 12:47 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Arsenic in furs > > It is possible, if you wear nitrile gloves and don't put your face in them > and inhale deeply the furs you should be fine. :) Oh and try to resist the > urge to lick them. :D > > On 12/16/11, John E Simmons <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Arsenic was commonly used in preparing taxidermy mounts (usually as > > arsenical soap that was rubbed inside the skin) and study skins of > > animals (usually as arsenic powder that was dusted inside the skin). > > > > It is unlikely that arsenic was used in the preservation of skins that > > were worn as clothing because the methods of application. > > > > It is possible that arsenic powder could have been used for pest > > control when the objects were not being worn, however. > > > > --John > > > > John E. Simmons > > Museologica > > 128 E. Burnside Street > > Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010 > > [log in to unmask] > > 303-681-5708 > > www.museologica.com > > and > > Adjunct Curator of Collections > > Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery Penn State University > > University Park, Pennsylvania and Lecturer in Art Juniata College > > Huntingdon, Pennsylvania > > > > On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 10:55 AM, Upham Mansion > > <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > > > >> Dear Fellow Listers,**** > >> > >> ** ** > >> > >> I am trying to determine (before spending funds on a test kit) if the > >> fur coats, stoles and muffs we have in our collection may contain > >> arsenic.**** > >> > >> I've looked online, read the NPS information CCI information and the > >> Museum Listserve archives and have learned that a form of arsenical > >> soap was used in the preservation process for taxidermy (mainly to > >> prevent insect infestation) but my question is- is there a > >> possibility that our furs (some dating back to the early 1900s) > >> contain arsenic?**** > >> > >> Thank you!**** > >> > >> ** ** > >> > >> Kim Krueger**** > >> > >> Coordinator**** > >> > >> North Wood County Historical Society**** > >> > >> 212 W. 3rd**** > >> > >> PO Box 142**** > >> > >> Marshfield, WI 54449**** > >> > >> 715.387.3322**** > >> > >> ** ** > >> > >> ------------------------------ > >> > >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > > > ========================================================= > > Important Subscriber Information: > > > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . 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