I haven't used chemistry since college but one of the chemical
properties of melamine IS formaldehyde and it has a chemical that is
related to cyanide as well, but in a more dormant state. Formaldehyde is
what gives the melamine resin its rigidity as a thermoplastic. If
melamine comes in contact with cyanuric acid it can be fatal, though in
a storage area this might not be a great concern. Cyanuric acid can be
found in bleaches, herbicides, and disinfectants. 

The article is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine and it has
links to the other chemicals and their basic information. 

Regards,
John

John Hart, Jr.
Assistant Curator of Collections
New York State Historical Association and The Farmers' Museum
(607) 547-1447
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Lisa Shockley
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 11:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Melamine

Would someone who knows more chemistry please respond?

I thought that melamine DID contain formaldehyde and that was part of
the issue in the recent food contaminations from China.

This is NOT my area, so I would be interested in the answer myself.

Lisa

Lisa Shockley, Curatorial Specialist, 3-D Collections
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)

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Mandy Langfald
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 10:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Melamine

Hello All,

We are moving to a new storage center and the shelving supplier has
recommended Melamine as a formaldehyde free particle board that they say
we will not have to seal the way plywood/regular particle board needs to
be. Does this sound right to you? Are any of you using Melamine for
storage or exhibits? And if so have you sealed it in some way? Feel free
to respond on or off list.

As always, thanks for the advice.


Mandy Langfald
Curator of Collection
Wyoming State Museum
307-777-7033
[log in to unmask]

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