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<p><font size="2" face="sans-serif">As Fran mentioned, XRF is a possibility for testing for Arsenic. I just spoke with Jane Sirois, Manager of Preservation Services (previously Senior Conservation Scientist) at CCI, and she mentioned that if you have access to a unit, and someone who can run the XRF (some countries, like Canada, have regulations on who can operate XRF devices) it is best to also have someone who can interpret the results with you. This is important because the peaks for Mercury, Lead and Arsenic overlap, and any Arsenic detected by the XRF may be found below the surface. This is to say, XRF results may be misleading. The advantage of XRF testing is that it is non-destructive, and safe if the operator respects health and safety protocols inherent in using a device that produces radiation.</font><br>
<font size="2" face="sans-serif"> </font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Evelyn Ayre</b></font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Conservator - Intern | Restauratrice - Stagiaire</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Preservation Services | Services de préservation</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Canadian Conservation Institute | Institut canadien de conservation </font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Department of Canadian Heritage | Ministère du Patrimoine canadien </font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">1030 Innes Road | 1030 chemin Innes</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Ottawa ON Canada K1B 4S7</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">evelyn.ayre@pch.gc.ca</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Telephone | Téléphone 1 (613) 998-3721 ext | poste 235</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Facsimile | Télécopieur 1 (613) 998-4721</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada</font><br>
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<img width="16" height="16" src="cid:1__=0ABBF619DFE036718f9e8a93df9386@pch.gc.ca" border="0" alt="Inactive hide details for Fran Ritchie ---25/02/2014 03:48:34 PM---I meant to "reply to all" earlier when I e-mailed Lena back."><font size="2" color="#424282" face="sans-serif">Fran Ritchie ---25/02/2014 03:48:34 PM---I meant to "reply to all" earlier when I e-mailed Lena back. Victoria, I've used a homemade test ki</font><br>
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<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">From: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Fran Ritchie <franritchie@gmail.com></font><br>
<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">To: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">"Wilke, Victoria" <vwilke@oeb.harvard.edu>, </font><br>
<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">Cc: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">"nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" <nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu>, Lena Hernandez <LHernandez@themosh.org></font><br>
<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">Date: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">25/02/2014 03:48 PM</font><br>
<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">Subject: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Re: [Nhcoll-l] Arsenic testing</font><br>
<font size="1" color="#5F5F5F" face="sans-serif">Sent by: </font><font size="1" face="sans-serif">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</font><br>
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<font size="3" face="serif">I meant to "reply to all" earlier when I e-mailed Lena back. Victoria, I've used a homemade test kit that I assembled based off of </font><font size="2" face="Arial">the method that Cathy Hawks adapted and that Ellen Carrlee described on her blog: <a href="http://ellencarrlee.wordpress.com/?s=arsenic+testing">http://ellencarrlee.wordpress.com/?s=arsenic+testing</a> I've had multiple successes with it, using the swab method, but now I can't remember exactly how much residue was on the surface. I don't think it was much. (I was able to confirm my findings with XRF, too. The sample that was negative also tested negative using XRF.)</font><br>
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<font size="2" face="Arial">The downside is that you need to make/have KOH and HCl, which is difficult if you're working for a smaller museum with limited or no lab space. The first time I ran this arsenic test I was working for a small museum with no lab and was able to take my samples to a local university chem lab. Ellen points out that her molar solution was obtained from a local pharmacist. </font><br>
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<font size="2" face="Arial">Lena, just curious how you know the specimens have arsenic and that the accumulation of material on the base isn't Borax?</font><br>
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<font size="2" face="Arial">Thanks,</font><br>
<font size="2" face="Arial">Fran Ritchie</font><br>
<br>
<font size="2" color="#666666" face="Arial">Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in </font><br>
<font size="2" color="#666666" face="Arial">Objects Conservation </font><br>
<font size="2" color="#666666" face="Arial">National Museum of the American Indian</font><br>
<a href="mailto:RitchieF@si.edu"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Arial"><u>RitchieF@si.edu</u></font></a><br>
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<font size="3" face="serif">On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 2:58 PM, Wilke, Victoria <</font><a href="mailto:vwilke@oeb.harvard.edu" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><u>vwilke@oeb.harvard.edu</u></font></a><font size="3" face="serif">> wrote:</font>
<ul style="padding-left: 9pt"><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Depending on the time the mounts you are referencing were made, arsenic could have been applied as a paste, powder or soap. </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">I have read (multiple times!) that re-testing is necessary due to negative results. Have you ever tested the same specimen using different methods? I’ve never used the The Macherey-Nagel Arsenic Paper Test, but would like to hear other’s experiences.</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Victoria</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> </font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> [mailto:</font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma">] </font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>On Behalf Of </b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Lena Hernandez</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Sent:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Tuesday, February 25, 2014 2:25 PM</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
To:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Gegick, Patricia, DCA</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"><b><br>
Cc:</b></font><font size="3" face="serif"> </font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><u>nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="3" face="serif"><b><br>
Subject:</b></font><font size="3" face="serif"> Re: [Nhcoll-l] Arsenic testing</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">I can understand the potential to miss the arsenic when swabbing, which I believe is why it is recommended to retest specimens every three years or so if you get an initial negative result. Unfortunately, my testing issue does not seem to be so simple as that. One of the specimens I tested had quite the accumulation of arsenic below it on the base it was mounted on, but still I got a negative result.</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">I appreciate all of the responses I have gotten so far, but if anyone else has thoughts please voice them!</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Lena Hernandez</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Collections Manager/Registrar</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Museum of Science and History</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">1025 Museum Circle</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri">Jacksonville, FL 32207</font>
<p><a href="tel:%28904%29396-6674%20x212" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Calibri"><u>(904)396-6674 x212</u></font></a>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="Calibri"> </font>
<p><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Gegick, Patricia, DCA [</font><a href="mailto:patricia.gegick@state.nm.us" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>mailto:patricia.gegick@state.nm.us</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma">] </font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Sent:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Tuesday, February 25, 2014 1:41 PM</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
To:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Kirsten Nicholson; Lena Hernandez</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Cc:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> </font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Subject:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> RE: [Nhcoll-l] Arsenic testing</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="serif">Dear listees,</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="serif">It is my understanding that the arsenic was in a paste form applied to the inside skin of the animal. It is tiny crystals of this that can migrate to the surface when dry. If the “cotton swabbing” method is being used, it seems that it depends on whether or not you happen to capture a crystal on your swab. I’ve always been slightly skeptical myself as far as whether my “negatives” are valid. Anyone else have this problem?</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="serif">Patti</font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif"><b>Patricia J. Gegick <br>
Bioscience Collections Specialist<br>
Department of Collections and Research <br>
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science <br>
1801 Mountain Road, NW <br>
Albuquerque, NM 87104-1375 <br>
Phone: </b></font><a href="tel:505.841.2867" target="_blank"><font size="1" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><b><u>505.841.2867</u></b></font></a><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif"><b> Fax: </b></font><a href="tel:505.841.2808" target="_blank"><font size="1" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><b><u>505.841.2808</u></b></font></a><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif"><b> <br>
email: </b></font><a href="mailto:patricia.gegick@state.nm.us" target="_blank"><font size="1" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><b><u>patricia.gegick@state.nm.us</u></b></font></a><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif"><b><u> </u></b></font>
<p><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif">“Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico</font><font size="3" color="#215868" face="serif">.</font><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif">”</font><font size="3" color="#215868" face="serif"> </font><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif">Lew Wallace, New Mexico Territorial Governor from 1878-1881.</font><font size="3" color="#215868" face="serif"> </font><font size="1" color="#215868" face="serif">New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment</font>
<p><font size="1" color="#943634" face="serif"><b> </b></font>
<p><font size="2" color="#1F497D" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> </font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> [</font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma">] </font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b>On Behalf Of </b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Kirsten Nicholson</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Sent:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Tuesday, February 25, 2014 10:55 AM</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
To:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Lena Hernandez</font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Cc:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> </font><a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="#0000FF" face="Tahoma"><u>nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</u></font></a><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><b><br>
Subject:</b></font><font size="2" face="Tahoma"> Re: [Nhcoll-l] Arsenic testing</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">So we have done some fairly extensive testing in our collection and had the same results. Generally this happened where arsenic prepared specimens were in contact with "clean" specimens" and from the literature I am understand that there can be cross contamination. So if possible, you want to quarantine your arsenic specimens away from clean specimens if possible (there are a number of ways to accomplish this).</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">I would love to hear what others have to offer, though.</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Kirsten</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 9:21 AM, Lena Hernandez <</font><a href="mailto:LHernandez@themosh.org" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><u>LHernandez@themosh.org</u></font></a><font size="3" face="serif">> wrote:</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Hi all, </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Recently I attempted testing for arsenic in the mounted specimens of our collection. My issues, that I hope some of you can help with, is that I am getting a negative result on specimens that I am sure have arsenic. Has anyone else run into this problem? If so how did you solve it? I am following the protocol developed by NPS in their Conserve-o-Gram 2/3 and using Hach’s arsenic test kit, since the one recommended by NPS is no longer made. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Feel free to contact me off list if you would prefer.</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Lena Hernandez</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Collections Manager/Registrar</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Museum of Science and History</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">1025 Museum Circle</font>
<p><font size="3" face="serif">Jacksonville, FL 32207</font>
<p><a href="tel:%28904%29396-6674%20x212" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><u>(904)396-6674 x212</u></font></a>
<p><a href="mailto:lhernandez@themosh.org" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0000FF" face="serif"><u>lhernandez@themosh.org</u></font></a>
<p><font size="3" face="serif"> </font>
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