<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;">I'm sorry for being a little late in responding to this post:</div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><br></div><div>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. <div><br><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope this is helpful.</div></div></div><div><div><br></div><div><div><div><div>Julia</div><div><br></div><div>Julia Sybalsky</div><div>Assistant Conservator</div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" color="#000000" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">American Museum of Natural History</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" color="#000000" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Central Park West at 79th Street</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" color="#000000" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">New York, NY 10024-5192</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" color="#000000" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">212-313-7533</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" color="#000000" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="mailto:jsybalsky@amnh.org">jsybalsky@amnh.org</a></font></div></div></div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>On Oct 8, 2012, at 11:48 AM, Hawks, Catharine wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-size: medium; "><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><font style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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!<br><br>Cathy</font><br> <br><div style="border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(181, 196, 223); border-top-width: 1pt; padding-top: 3pt; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; "><b>From</b>: Pellegrini, Rodrigo [mailto:Rodrigo.Pellegrini@sos.state.nj.us]<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><b>Sent</b>: Thursday, October 04, 2012 03:20 PM<br><b>To</b>: Dietrich, Elizabeth; 'Ann-Eliza Lewis' <<a href="mailto:lewisan@earlham.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">lewisan@earlham.edu</a>>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><b>Subject</b>: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br></font> <br></div><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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).<br>Good thing I wore nitrile gloves anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Rod<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><span><image001.jpg></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Rodrigo Pellegrini, MA, MS<br>Registrar, Natural History Bureau<br>New Jersey State Museum<br>205 W. State St.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">PO Box 530<br>Trenton, NJ 08625-0530<br>USA<br><br>Voice: (609) 292-5615 (office)<br> (609) 826-3924 (laboratory)<br> (609) 826-5449 (storage)<br>Fax: (609) 292-7636<br>E-mail:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:Rodrigo.Pellegrini@sos.state.nj.us" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Rodrigo.Pellegrini@sos.state.nj.us</a><br>Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.newjerseystatemuseum.org/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">www.newjerseystatemuseum.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">Blog:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><a href="http://njstatemuseum.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://njstatemuseum.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div><div style="border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(181, 196, 223); border-top-width: 1pt; padding-top: 3pt; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu]<b>On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Dietrich, Elizabeth<br><b>Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thursday, October 04, 2012 2:59 PM<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>'Ann-Eliza Lewis';<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds<o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">If you would like more details, please contact me directly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(181, 196, 223); border-top-width: 1pt; padding-top: 3pt; padding-right: 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; ">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu]<b>On Behalf Of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Ann-Eliza Lewis<br><b>Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thursday, October 04, 2012 2:36 PM<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[Nhcoll-l] Cleaning mounted birds<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Hello,<o:p></o:p></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">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? <o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Many thanks!<o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">Ann-Eliza<br><br clear="all"><o:p></o:p></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; ">--<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; ">Ann-Eliza Lewis, PhD</span><o:p></o:p></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; ">Collection Manager</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; ">Joseph Moore Museum</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; ">Earlham College</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; "><a href="mailto:lewisan@earlham.edu" target="_blank" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">lewisan@earlham.edu</a></span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; ">765-983-1320</span><o:p></o:p></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><o:p> </o:p></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>Nhcoll-l mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br><a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a></div></span></div></div><br></div></div></div><br></body></html>