[Nhcoll-l] Safe Mineral Handling

[Kathryn Makos]

The poster is wise to be cautious about handling these hazardous minerals.
Vitrines should protect visitors/public, but be sure that if any displayed
minerals also contain radioactive elements/generate radon gas that the
enclosure material and thickness are adequate for that hazard.

Barrier gloves (e.g. vinyl or nitrile, and frequently changed and disposed)
should be used handling all of these minerals.  

Kathryn Makos, MPH CIH
(Ret.) Smithsonian

The following suggestions are forwarded from a colleague at the Smithsonian
who liaisons with NMNH:

"In general, all of these minerals should probably receive a thorough HEPA
vacuuming prior to placement within the vitrine, and the vitrine interior
HEPA vacuumed during the de-installation (to prevent cross contamination).
Handlers should wear gloves and wash their hands after handling the object.
They need to have MSDS for each mineral and be familiar with the health
hazards associated with each mineral, and also brief the building owner on
what they are bringing into the site.     Minerals should be secured at all
times during the installation/deinstallation.
 
Some thoughts:
.         Galena is a mineral form of lead.  Avoid generation of dust.
.         Cinnabar is the most common source for elemental mercury;
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__en.wikipedia.org_wiki_Cinnabar&d=AwICAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=qma1tLIP9-AWX4qD5Ur8GOlCKMnte8ibgycw88GQFvs&s=lWGdR005hx_LRlfb2nxtFiaLoqvCWlxzmQoUYfwJ9BU&e= . The MSDS for this product should be
thoroughly reviewed before handling and the appropriate PPE procured (MSDS
example: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__fscimage.fishersci.com_msds_94301.htm&d=AwICAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=qma1tLIP9-AWX4qD5Ur8GOlCKMnte8ibgycw88GQFvs&s=MilGdWrLALyBJlkV4v2Nw41eaBFO3m9vtfC19poT9HU&e= ).  Above all, the
product must not be heated, hazardous fumes may be generated.  If brazing
needs to be performed during mount making, I would think it prudent to keep
the cinnabar far away from the heat. Avoid generation of dust.
.         Orpiment is an arsenic sulfide mineral.   I very strongly
recommend wearing gloves.  Avoid generation of dust.
 
I do not have any experience with Stibnite, or Vanadinite.  "
 
Mike Hunt, CIH
Smithsonian Institution
OFEO-OSHEM Industrial Hygienist
202-633-2626"

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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:14:43 +0000
From: Janaki Krishna <jkrishna at umnh.utah.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Safe mineral handling
To: "'Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu'" <Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Message-ID:
	<CDE63CD24EB8584391FD58DA7BB792962CCB6B0B at X-MB4.xds.umail.utah.edu>
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Hello,
I am posting for my colleague in our exhibits department who is working on a
new travelling exhibit, see her comments below.  As this exhibit will be
deinstalled moved and reinstalled at a new location every month and this
occurs in a very public space (a bank lobby during business hours), she has
some concerns about the minerals they are considering using. While the
minerals are in a vitrine during the exhibit she has concerns regarding the
mounts as well as concerns during installation as it will  be in an area
only partially cordoned off. Would anyone be able to speak to these concerns
and/or offer recommendations?

The topic for the next traveling treasures is poison. For that case, we have
the following minerals:
Galena
Stibnite
Orpiment
Vanadinite
Cinnabar

I am looking for direction on safe handling (especially during brass
mount-making) and also any display consideration of these minerals.

thanks,
Dawn Ren?e Farkas Prasad




Thanks You,
Janaki

Janaki Krishna
Registrar
Natural History Museum of Utah
801-585-7484