[NHCOLL-L:2277] RE: "paper or plastic"

[Simmons, John E]

Depends on the paper or the plastic.  The only acceptable cardboard is acid-free board.  The drawbacks to cardboard include that it absorbs relative humidity, can attract pests, and you have to open the container to see the specimen (which means more handling and it will take you longer to do pest inspections).  I personally prefer rigid polystyrene boxes because you can see through them and they are very durable.  However, do not use polystyrene if you are using naphthelene or paradichlorobenzene (PDB) as fumigants, or anything else that contains benzene rings, because it will craze and melt the plastic.
 
--John

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: Gregory Watkins-Colwell [mailto:gregory.watkins-colwell at yale.edu] 
	Sent: Fri 5/7/2004 7:12 AM 
	To: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu 
	Cc: 
	Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2276] "paper or plastic"
	
	
	Skeleton storage boxes:  plastic or cardboard?  I'd be interested in hearing the various opinions on this.  I have my opinion... but what do others think?
	
	greg
	
	

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	*       Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell                      *
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