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

Thu Oct 8 13:30:44 EDT 2020

Polyurethane is not stable, and as mentioned by several others on this post it will degrade and crumble in as little as 10 years. Not a recommended material.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 8, 2020, at 12:27 PM, Anderson, Gretchen <AndersonG at carnegiemnh.org> wrote:
>
> Polyurethane deteriorates over time
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Oct 7, 2020, at 9:11 AM, Hawks, Catharine <HawksC at si.edu> wrote:
>>
>> 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%7Ce7ab19ceb3eb491abe6b08d86ac4736e%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376739272740544&sdata=L%2ByTrLyzPxOdc4ME2td5m0c8aqsT8xuRJ5R5Jcz6u7w%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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