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

[Hawks, Catharine]

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
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nhcoll-l mailing list
> Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmail
> man.yale.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnhcoll-l&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc
> %40si.edu%7Ce7ab19ceb3eb491abe6b08d86ac4736e%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cd
> d5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376739272740544&sdata=w6fvj%2Bl%2Ffx%2Fhk%2
> F%2BDk1vXw8%2FccJVJJQcRQQkPURcXRnU%3D&reserved=0
>
> _______________________________________________
> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of 
> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose 
> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of 
> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to 
> society. See https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spnhc.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7Ce7ab19ceb3eb491abe6b08d86ac4736e%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376739272740544&sdata=43Pvc06Uugqpr3idO5aLkFVtJCfPulL%2BGQHGEUbiUPw%3D&reserved=0 for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.

_______________________________________________
Nhcoll-l mailing list
Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmailman.yale.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnhcoll-l&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7Ce7ab19ceb3eb491abe6b08d86ac4736e%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376739272740544&sdata=w6fvj%2Bl%2Ffx%2Fhk%2F%2BDk1vXw8%2FccJVJJQcRQQkPURcXRnU%3D&reserved=0

_______________________________________________
NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to society. See https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spnhc.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Chawksc%40si.edu%7Ce7ab19ceb3eb491abe6b08d86ac4736e%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637376739272750539&sdata=lbESgkGZfSmrCQmmiDXbeHUIdk7HvWBfsm9L302aikk%3D&reserved=0 for membership information.
Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.