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

Wed Oct 7 10:49:15 EDT 2020

-----Original Message-----
From: Giere, Peter <Peter.Giere at mfn.berlin> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2020 10:38 AM
To: Hawks, Catharine <HawksC at si.edu>
Subject: WG: [EXT] Re: [Nhcoll-l] Antw: is polyurethane hazardous for stuffed collections

External Email - Exercise Caution

Hi Cathy,

I just saw your contribution  towards the discussion on the use of polyurethanes in taxidermy on NHCOll-l. Our preparators for the exhibitions use the same thing -- they told me, they are aware of the problems, when I approached them regarding the use of plastics and the longevity of specimens...

Now, speaking of plastics, I am part of an organising committee for an online conference on plastic conservation and management in museum collections

https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin%2Fde%2Fmuseum%2Fveranstaltungen%2Fvirtual-conference-plastics-peril&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425487762&sdata=6ukQ9hXlB2loFbtgeh%2Fv%2B4JllVuhkIsKqFt84hufYMI%3D&reserved=0

This is not so much a problem for natural history collections but a much greater problem in cultural history collections, but we are facing big challenges if many boxes, liners or what have you fail at the same time. Thus, I will provide a case study of natural history collections on this conference.

I tried to have the announcement posted on NHColl, but I did not notice it being sent around. So here it is for you again, maybe you are interested?

With all the best wishes,

Peter
Here's the announcement:

+++++please excuse cross posting+++++

Dear colleague,

Plastics are found in museum collections in many different forms and for numerous purposes.

Due to the nature of these polymers, their life span is very limited, resulting in conservation challenges especially in the long term preservation of collection objects.

Addressing this topic, the University of Cambridge Museums and the Leibniz Research Museums Deutsches Museum, Deutsches Bergbau Museum and Museum für Naturkunde Berlin are pleased to announce a joint conference:

"Plastics in Peril: Focus on Conservation of Polymeric Materials in Cultural Heritage"

held online November 16-19, 2020 (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin%2Fde%2Fmuseum%2Fveranstaltungen%2Fvirtual-conference-plastics-peril&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425497723&sdata=Qo1yA3uogwEAhmQODKI%2BNFU0Xe7cErjfTO6dkC0kL3o%3D&reserved=0).

The conference will discuss real-life approaches to caring for plastics in our museums, focusing on practical solutions and on sharing experiences.

Please find attached the flyer and programme of this conference with more information.

Registration is free (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsurvey.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de%2Fen%2Fplastics_in_peril_reg&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425497723&sdata=aqYuhWxqpiamWJiKhofLrQ2%2F0aCYxOM0SQjkDveSrxo%3D&reserved=0).

We look forward to seeing you at the conference and kindly ask you help us disseminating this event within your network.

The Plastics Crew

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Peter Giere
Head, Centre of Collections
Curator of the Embryological Collection
Museum für Naturkunde
Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science

NEW CONTACT DATA:
phone:  +49-(0)30-889140-8703
fax:    +49-(0)30-889140-8868
e-mail:         peter.giere(at)mfn.berlin
Postal Address:
Museum für Naturkunde Berlin
Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Dr. Peter Giere Invalidenstr. 43
10115 Berlin
Germany
Schatzmeister, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde Treasurer, German Society for Mammalian Biology
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] Im Auftrag von Hawks, Catharine
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 7. Oktober 2020 16:11
An: Simon Moore; Joachim Händel
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu; Lennart Lennuk
Betreff: [EXT] Re: [Nhcoll-l] Antw: is polyurethane hazardous for stuffed collections

Primary ingredients in any polyurethane are isocyanates, which are known human carcinogens. They are part of what is off-gassed as the plastic cures. The urethane monomers in the plastic can also be hazardous if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin, so could pose risks when the material deteriorates.

Cathy

-----Original Message-----
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Simon Moore
Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2020 9:25 AM
To: Joachim Händel <Joachim.Haendel at zns.uni-halle.de>
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu; Lennart Lennuk <Lennart.Lennuk at loodusmuuseum.ee>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Antw: is polyurethane hazardous for stuffed collections

External Email - Exercise Caution

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,

https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natural-history-conservation.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425497723&sdata=jzvYTUI9ibaeHDaJkIM7RwWMBvud4VQQiNxYAni8v0E%3D&reserved=0

> 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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_______________________________________________
NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to society. See https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spnhc.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425497723&sdata=73ESejpqiIY01CyDHadVSuCdMP2sn8D1GiKpy30LMwo%3D&reserved=0 for membership information.
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_______________________________________________
NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to society. See https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spnhc.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7C2784f2fb2a844e4c7a0f08d86acea7e3%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376783425497723&sdata=73ESejpqiIY01CyDHadVSuCdMP2sn8D1GiKpy30LMwo%3D&reserved=0 for membership information.
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