[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Labelling heavy metals residues on display taxidermy

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Morgan,

the key question is if there is a H&S risk for visitors in the meaning of applicable (annual) exposure rates and threshold values that would require marking (i.e. labelling).

There could be a risk if visitors (illegally) touch specimens, i.e. get in direct contact with the object, or if airborne or sedimentary dust could convey biocides and/or toxic heavy metals in relevant concentrations.

As there are no applicable threshold values other then room air or direct ingestion, the question for 'exposure risk' cannot be answered directly and straight forward.

Maybe this example is suited to illustrate a pragmatic way forward:

Not long ago, I attended a tour of an iconic and prestigious castle near Berlin. It is renowned not only for its cultural relevance (arts, gardens, architecture), but also for the fact that a lot of the original interior decoration contain heavy metal pigments, and that the entire wooden elements up to the roof where soaked with DDT to a content, that the emitting VOCs pose a serious health risk for the guides. They are allowed to stay for 4 hrs max in the building weekly, which was about the time we spend for our visit in the building (a group of nerdy museums and conservation specialists).

Normal visitors usually are not informed, there might be a brief note at the beginning of each guided tour that visitors are not considered to touch anything. Tour guides pay close attention and are very strict with visitors, which do not adhere to the rules. They told us about the DDT values in the building - which were really mind-blowing - but you could not detect them with an XRF, and for objects, it is impossible to get quantitative results (or measurements are rough and don't give a real picture).

If we would have stayed longer than 4 hrs, we might have had a slightly elevated risk, but would still have stayed well below the annual exposure threshold. Most visitors only visit once in their life-time. So their risk is minimal to zero - even if one of us would have touched an object.

A biocide assessment in a large European Natural History Museum revealed high arsenic concentration in some objects, which triggered H&S concerns. People working in the respective collection got dosimeters to measure their direct exposure, which was paired with a clinical study to investigate, if arsenic from objects are traceable in the bodies of the colleagues. Few had elevated arsenic values, but it turned out these colleagues consumed a lot of fragrant rice from Asia - which is known for elevated arsenic values in the ground water.

To put it short: I do not see a legal obligation to label, as the risk for visitors is negligible - even if some objects might be heavily contaminated. More imported in my view is to train guides and guards, explain the risks, and make sure they react and handle situations when they occur. Maybe it is worth considering to put a legal note at the front desk or on visitor tickets informing them rather general that historic specimens on display may have been prepared or treated with substances that are considered a health risk in case of direct exposure, which is why touching objects is prohibited and that the institution takes not responsibility for offences.


Maybe this helps

With best wishes

Dirk





Am 08.07.2026 um 14:05 schrieb Glofcheskie, Morgan:
ACHTUNG/ATTENTION: Diese E-Mail stammt von einem externen Absender. / This e-mail comes from an external sender.

Hi Everyone,
I’m working on a project related to residual heavy metals found on some of our taxidermy and study skins. Several years ago we did XRF testing on our bird and mammal collections and have since been adding hazard labels to reflect the risk and PPE that should be worn when handling our toxic specimens.  I’ve currently finished specimens in the collection, and am now working on specimens on display. We have a few toxic but significant taxidermy on display in cases which have no hazard labels. Since they are enclosed in display cases, the concern is less for the public and more for our exhibits team when handling to be aware of the PPE needed and special handling notes.

Thoughts on discrete hazard labeling of our taxidermy on exhibit? I’m curious if other museums have dealt with a similar problem. I plan to work with our exhibits team as well.

Thanks in advance!
Morgan

Morgan Glofcheskie (she/her) OCGC Museum Management and Curatorship, MSc Integrative Biology, BSc Biology
Natural History Collections Management Assistant
Archives and Collections
t: (709) 757-8010
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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst
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