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<DIV>Hi Marcela,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Some obervations on your request and answers
thus far.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Most of our museums in the UK opt for about 12-15
deg C for fluid collections, which is safely below flash point for the
various alcohols but not so uncomfortably cold for persons in the collection
that they need to wear extra garments after 20 minutes. You also have to
consider the RH ratio relating to temperature as well as high humidity (up to
60%) which will reduce alcohol evaporation but is still just low enough to
prevent fungus from growing on labels that might be on the outside of the jars
(they should be inside the jars and against the glass). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I might also add that even on a really hot day for
the UK and the temperature in the store can creep up to 20 deg. C if not
air-conditioned, then the actual risk of explosion due to alcohol fumes is still
so low that, as far as I know, no-one has ever reported such an incident.
Mostly the temp. is reduced to keep the Health & Safety regulators
happy.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For skeletons the risk of fungal growth starts at
around 60% RH but lower than 45% can lead to cranial sutures starting to
open up. 15-20 deg C is fine for them. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hope that this helps.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>With all good wishes, Simon </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<BR>Conservator of
Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<BR><A
href="http://www.natural-history-conservation.com">www.natural-history-conservation.com</A>
<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=marce_irene@yahoo.com.ar
href="mailto:marce_irene@yahoo.com.ar">Marcela Cosarinsky</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu
href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 14, 2013 4:12
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Nhcoll-l] optimal
temperature</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
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id=yiv1163238992drftMsgContent>Hi All,<BR>What
temperature would you recommend for the best
conservation of biological collections kept in
liquids (alcohol, formalin), squeletons and
embalmed animals? <BR><BR>
<DIV>Many thanks, Marcela</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Marcela Cosarinsky (Curator)</DIV>
<DIV>Sala de Colecciones - Departamento de
Biodiversidad y biología Experimental</DIV>
<DIV>Facultad de Cs. Exactas y Naturales</DIV>
<DIV>Universidad de Buenos Aires</DIV>
<DIV>Argentina</DIV>
<DIV>email:
marce_irene@yahoo.com.ar</DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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