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
>
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Patricia L. Miller, Executive Director
Illinois Heritage Association
602 1/2 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 359-5600  [log in to unmask]

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