[Nhcoll-l] Best packing material for moving of wet collection jars

[Rob Robins]

Hi Elizabeth,
Do not use vermiculite.

The respiratory hazards of vermiculite are substantial. Covered before on this list, but in summary:




·         No matter where it was mined from, vermiculite is likely to contain fibrous minerals.



·         That few of these types of fibrous minerals have been formally classified as asbestos and regulated as such would appear to be more a function of what fibers were in use commercially at the time the regulations were created. (Baumann, F., J. P. Ambrosi, and M. Carbone. 2013. Asbestos is not just asbestos: an unrecognized health hazard. The Lancet Vol 14 June 2013).



·         To be certain, vermiculite has at times been found to contain asbestiform amphiboles (groups of needlelike silicates clumped together) such as winchite, richterite, and tremolite, the latter of which is regulated (Sullivan, P. 2007. Vermiculite, respiratory disease, and asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a cohort mortality study. Environmental Health Perspectives Apr; 115 (4): 579-585).



The Baumann paper concludes thusly, and I agree:



“The restricted regulatory definition of asbestos to six fibres used commercially contributes to miscommunication and uncertainty regarding the toxic effects of some fibrous minerals. We propose that all fibrous minerals be handled as potentially pathogenic until they are proven safe. Moreover, to protect human health, a wider regulatory definition of asbestos should include all potentially carcinogenic mineral fibres, without distinction of type and commercial use.”

We are moving the massive UF Fish Collection using dish barrel boxes and paper. Stuffing paper in between the layers of jars and in the larger voids is more than adequate. We have moved tens of thousands of containers this way, in approximately 500 boxes, with only 2 jars broken in the boxes to date. Boxes and paper can be reused multiple times (I.e., many small moves -- saves on staging space).

Feel free to contact me off list to discuss.

Best wishes,

Rob Robins

Robert H. Robins
Collection Manager
Division of Ichthyology
[FLMNH Fishes logo email small]
Florida Museum
1659 Museum Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611-7800
Office: (352) 273-1957
rhrobins at flmnh.ufl.edu<mailto:rhrobins at flmnh.ufl.edu>

The UF Fish Collection is moving:
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/

Search the Collection:
http://specifyportal.flmnh.ufl.edu/fishes/

Search samples suitable for dna analysis:
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/grr/holdings/



________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Elizabeth Wommack <ewommack at uwyo.edu>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 7:03 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Best packing material for moving of wet collection jars

[External Email]
The UWYMV has to do an emergency move of its wet collection to accommodate construction in the museum building.

We are working with our Safety Office to make sure the fluid specimens will be stored as safely as possible. The current plan is to package up each shelf into hard sided moving boxes, fill the space inbetween jars with vermiculite, and store the collection in the flammable liquid storage building until construction is completed.

I have read both Simmons 2014 and Coetzer et al. 2009, as well as gone through SPNHC's documentation on moving of collections. With our very limited time we will do the best we can for inventory, and make sure each jar is topped off before it goes into a box.

I could not find recommendations on boxing and packing material for movement of whole jars of fluid specimens however. Vermiculite was the recommendation of our Safety Office, since that is how they transport jars of chemicals safely. Does anyone know of adverse affects from vermiculite or a better easily accessible storage material we should be using?

Any thoughts and recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Beth Wommack

Elizabeth Wommack, PhD
Curator and Collections Manager of Vertebrates
University of Wyoming Museum of Vertebrates
Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center
University of Wyoming,
Laramie, WY 82071
ewommack@<mailto:ewommack at berkeley.edu>uwyo.edu<http://uwyo.edu/>
pronouns: she, her, herself
www.uwymv.org<http://www.uwymv.org/>
UWYMV Collection Use Policy<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zH0_rDHQmerM4ZU7k2wu8UmRha6aC1Yo/view?usp=share_link>
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