[Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds

Thu Oct 11 14:33:00 EDT 2012

I'm sorry for being a little late in responding to this post:

We have had success using an adjustable-power HEPA filtered vacuum fitted with microattachments. To make the opening to the vacuum even smaller, we use a plastic disposable pipette cut to create desired diameter and inserted into the end of the micro attachment (it can be secured in place with tape, a piece of teflon sheet, etc.). This set-up gives you a way to apply very low suction in a very localized way so that you can simultaneously remove loose dust and preen the feathers to realign the barbs. If dirt remains after vacuuming, one can sometimes follow this with careful use of dry foam make-up sponges cut to size, but I would only recommend this on robust feathers. 

In some cases we have found the limited use of solvent to be needed to reduce stubborn dirt. It is important to do sufficient testing first, since the feathers may react in unexpected ways. Where a cut piece of blotter can be placed behind the feather, solvent can be applied with a soft brush. Excess solvent and residues should absorbed by the blotter so that they are not driven into adjacent feathers.

At the 2012 SPNHC annual conference, Elena Torok, Crista Pack, and Bruno Pouliot presented a wonderful poster comparing case studies using various cleaning techniques for avian taxidermy. They experimented with mechanical, aqueous, and solvent-based methods, and they found that different techniques worked well for different birds. Several of the materials that they tried sound very promising, though I have not tried them and thus cannot make a personal recommendation. They include Leksol AL, an n-propyl bromide-based solvent, and Surfonyl 61, a volatile surfactant, both of which can be used with a piece of blotter in the manner described above. They also had some success using the Bessler Dust-Gun 100 to gently apply its solvent propellant (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; the can needs to be upside down) to the surface of the feather, weakening the adsorption of surface dirt so that it may be more easily removed mechanically.

I hope this is helpful.

Julia

Julia Sybalsky
Assistant Conservator
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024-5192
212-313-7533
jsybalsky at amnh.org

On Oct 8, 2012, at 11:48 AM, Hawks, Catharine wrote:

Yes, arsenic indeed migrates through skin on taxidermy mounts via standard mineral efflorescence processes. Early taxidermists knew this and knew that it would require weeks if not longer for the arsenic to protect the hair/feathers. As a consequence, they sometimes sprayed the hair/feathers with mercuric chloride solutions when they completed the mounting of a specimen. Either way, the net result is a handling hazard. Keep wearing the gloves!

Cathy

From: Pellegrini, Rodrigo [mailto:Rodrigo.Pellegrini at sos.state.nj.us] 
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 03:20 PM
To: Dietrich, Elizabeth; 'Ann-Eliza Lewis' <lewisan at earlham.edu>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu> 
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds 

Wow. My predecessor told me explicitly that arsenic from taxidermy mounts could not seep in through skin contact (unless hands were cracked or there was some other wound on the skin).
Good thing I wore nitrile gloves anyway.

Rod

<image001.jpg>
Rodrigo Pellegrini, MA, MS
Registrar, Natural History Bureau
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State St.
PO Box 530
Trenton, NJ 08625-0530
USA

Voice: (609) 292-5615 (office)
       (609) 826-3924 (laboratory)
       (609) 826-5449 (storage)
Fax: (609) 292-7636
E-mail: Rodrigo.Pellegrini at sos.state.nj.us
Website: www.newjerseystatemuseum.org
Blog: http://njstatemuseum.blogspot.com/

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]On Behalf Of Dietrich, Elizabeth
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 2:59 PM
To: 'Ann-Eliza Lewis'; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds

Yes, we developed cleaning techniques as well as clearance sampling protocols.  I’d have to dig up the write ups we did, but briefly the work needs to be done in a containment under negative pressure and staff need to be protected from inhalation, ingestion and absorption (through the skin) of arsenic.  Having a sampling protocol will help you determine whether the birds are clean enough afterwards for regular use (whatever that may be).

When retrieving the birds, staff must be protected with adequate PPE so that they don’t get dust on themselves or their clothing or inhale dust.

Once the birds are in an adequate containment, there are two methods of cleaning.  Vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum (fitted with screen over opening and using a “transformer” to reduce power) or using low levels of compressed air (15 psi or less) to gently blow the dust off.  If using the second method you will need to capture the dust with a HEPA vacuum or Negative Air Machine (NAM) with HEPA filtration.

Neither vacuuming nor blowing air will remove all arsenic or other particulate pesticides (mercury, DDT, strychnine, boric acid) from the birds so they will also need to be labeled as a potential hazard and handled accordingly, however it is possible to remove enough that the birds can be used for museum purposes.

If you would like more details, please contact me directly.

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu]On Behalf Of Ann-Eliza Lewis
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 2:36 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds

Hello,

We have an extensive collection of mounted birds (most with arsenic) that could use a good dusting. Does anyone have any recommendations for effective cleaning and suggestions for the best staff protection from the arsenic? 

Many thanks!
Ann-Eliza

-- 
Ann-Eliza Lewis, PhD
Collection Manager
Joseph Moore Museum
Earlham College
lewisan at earlham.edu
765-983-1320

_______________________________________________
Nhcoll-l mailing list
Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20121011/5d7469ab/attachment-0001.html 