[Nhcoll-l] Antw: is polyurethane hazardous for stuffed collections

[Simon Moore]

Yes, I have found the same thing - foxes with legs that contain just the armature wire as the polyurethane has literally crumbled away over the years.

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian, 



www.natural-history-conservation.com 




> On 7 Oct 2020, at 10:40, Joachim Händel <Joachim.Haendel at zns.uni-halle.de> wrote:
> 
> Hi Lennart,
> 
> it is surely  not really dangerous (for the objects and the people) - but it probably not durable for a long time.
> After 20 ... 30 years it becomes soft and crumbly.
> 
> It is not for eternity - but our collections should be.
> 
> Cheers
> Joachim
> 
> 
> 
> --  
> Joachim Haendel
>                                                         
> Center of Natural SciencesCollections
> of the Martin-Luther-University
> - Entomological Collection -
> 
> Domplatz 4
> D-06099 Halle (Saale)
> Germany
> 
> Phone:  +49 345 - 55 26 447
> Fax:  +49 345 - 55 27 248
> Email: joachim.haendel at zns.uni-halle.de
> 
> 
> 
> >>> Lennart Lennuk <Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee> 07.10.20 9.29 Uhr >>>
> Hi!
> 
> Taxidermists have used polyurethane to stuff mammal and bird collection – is it safe for stuffed collections?
> I read that it can give off acidic vapors (formaldehyde). What can taxidermist use and what to avoid?
>  
> Best regards!
>  
> Lennart Lennuk
> Head of zoology
> Estonian Museum of Natural History
> +372 6603404, 56569916
>  
>  
>  
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