Workers in museums and other cultural heritage organizations are exposed to the same occupational hazards as other industries; however, it is our interactions with collections that introduces unique health and safety scenarios where planning for and mitigation to control these situations may be unfamiliar to us, our employers, and often health and safety specialists. This […]
Risks to Collections Archives: Hazardous Materials
Identifying and Managing Hazardous Materials In Museum Collections
June 23, 2021
Hazards in Collections eTool
Hazards in Collections eTool Source: Museum of London This eTool is a source of general information for people that work with museum, gallery, archive, library and heritage collections in the UK. The tool will help you learn about commonly encountered health hazards found in some museum collections. Note: Legal references in this tool are to […]
Contaminated Collections: Preservation, Access and Use
Contaminated Collections:Preservation, Access and Use, Preservation of Native American and Historical Natural History Collections Contaminated with Pesticide Residues Source: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) Proceedings of a Symposium Held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), Shepherdstown, West Virginia, April 6-9, 2001 On 6–9 April 2001, Native Americans and preservation professionals, […]
Frequently Asked Questions about Contaminated Museum Collections
Frequently Asked Questions about Contaminated Museum Collections Source: Department of Interior The U. S. Department of the Interior (DOI) provides the following notification to users and recipients of museum collections under the control of the Department that may contain toxic substances. “This document serves as official notice to the recipient that the items being repatriated, […]
Residual Pesticides
Residual Pesticides Source: American Museum of Natural History Before the invention of environmentally controlled museum spaces and integrated pest management techniques, museums commonly relied on pesticides to prevent pest infestation and damage. Natural history museums often contain extensive organic collections (e.g. taxidermy and entomology specimens, and study skins) and are especially vulnerable to pest activity. […]
Pesticides
Pesticides Source: National Museum of the American Indian Pesticides are poisons or toxins used to kill pests by entering the organism through dermal contact (skin), oral ingestion (mouth), or inhalation (nose or mouth). Commonly, pesticides are divided into organic and inorganic pesticides according to their main chemical component.
The Care of Industrial Artifacts
Recorded: Thursday, April 12, 2018
Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings
Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings Source: National Trust for Historic Preservation In recent years, many older and historic buildings have been affected by the heavy rains and flooding that occurred during hurricanes and tropical storms. The purpose of this booklet is to help building owners minimize structural and cosmetic flood damage.
Mercury in Museum Collections
Mercury in Museum Collections Source: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 1/7 The dangers of mercury are well-known and well-documented. To avoid these ill effects it is essential to know which objects in a museum collection contain mercury, and how to handle and care for them properly.
