[Nhcoll-l] Poisonous specimens in collection

Mon Apr 30 11:10:59 EDT 2018

Perhaps a bit off the topic, but I'll share a story regarding dry
Hymenoptera specimens. Being allergic to bee/wasp venom, I'm usually
careful when handling live or fresh specimens. Some years ago, while
working with old pinned wasps, I accidentally dropped a specimen and
reflexively reached out and caught it in the palm of my hand (everted sting
down). I had a distinct (non-life threatening) allergic reaction causing my
hand to swell up. So I learned that old, dry wasp venom is still active.
All the best! - Barry

On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 10:28 AM, Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
wrote:

> The same is true for fishes venom.
>
>
>
> Andy
>
>     A  :             A  :             A  :
>  }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
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> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu
>
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>
>
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> *On Behalf Of *John
> E Simmons
> *Sent:* Monday, April 30, 2018 9:20 AM
> *To:* Esther Dondorp <esther.dondorp at naturalis.nl>
> *Cc:* nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Poisonous specimens in collection
>
>
>
> Esther,
>
> I can't answer for stonefish or mollusks, but snake venom is effectively
> neutralized with preservation in formaldehyde or alcohol. Snake venoms are
> complex proteins which break down fairly rapidly unless they are dried, and
> and are denatured in fluid preservatives. Other than the possibility of
> being scratched by the teeth or fangs, preserved venomous snakes do not
> present a hazard. The fangs of dry skulls may contain a bit of dry venom
> and should be handled carefully. The toxins in amphibian skins are also
> effectively neutralized in preservatives.
>
> As a general rule, I strongly recommend wearing nitrile or neoprene gloves
> when handling any fluid-preserved specimen, not because of the animal's
> toxins but because of trace amounts of formaldehyde and other chemicals
> that may be in the alcohol.
>
> --John
>
>
> John E. Simmons
> Museologica
> 128 E. Burnside Street
> Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010
> simmons.johne at gmail.com
> 303-681-5708
> www.museologica.com
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> and
> Adjunct Curator of Collections
> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
> Penn State University
> University Park, Pennsylvania
> and
> Instructor, Museum Studies
> School of Library and Information Science
> Kent State University
>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 10:09 AM, Esther Dondorp <
> esther.dondorp at naturalis.nl> wrote:
>
> For new health and safety procedures we are tying to find out if specimens
> in collections that are intrinsically poisonous can still be a hazard to
> work with. Think about venomous snakes in ethanol or formalin, stone fish,
> mollusks. Does anyone has experience with this? Do you have special safety
> procedures for working with these type of specimens or is there really
> nothing to worry about after fixation/preservation.
>
>
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
> Esther Dondorp
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Collection manager Reptiles and Amphibians
>
>
>
>
>
> T +31 (0)71 751 9313, M +31 (0)6 4870 4107
>
> Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
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-- 
-So many mites, so little time!

Barry M. OConnor
Professor  & Curator
Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Research Museums Center
University of Michigan                  phone: 734-763-4354
3600 Varsity Drive                         fax: 734-763-4080
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-2228          e-mail: bmoc at umich.edu
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