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 […]
Risks to Collections Archives: Hazardous Materials
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.
Storage Methods for Taxidermy Specimens
Storage Methods for Taxidermy Specimens Source: WAAC Newsletter Volume 14, Number 2, May 1992, pp.18-23, illustrations Many materials and techniques have been employed by taxidermists to preserve bird and mammal skins and to create mounted specimens. STUDY SKINS are prepared for scientific research purposes, while MOUNTS typically are created for display. Both may make use […]
Conserve-O-Gram 2/10 Hazardous Materials in Your Collection
Conserve-O-Gram 2/10 Hazardous Materials in Your Collection Source: National Park Service (NPS) Some of the objects and artifacts institutions are bound to preserve and protect from harm have the potential, if not handled properly, to harm us. Although it can seem frightening and overwhelming and an issue just easier to ignore, an institution can substantially […]