I am a collection manager at a natural history museum.
We have a number of old mounts dating back over 100 years.
For the most part, they are in okay shape and are used for study and
display. But quite a few are beyond repair. Being a non-profit we
recycle everything and would like to take them apart to use in our
education department for touch and feel activities.
I am concerned with removing arsenic, among other chemicals.
Does anyone know how to properly do this? Right now I am dealing
with mammals such as a fox, but information on birds would be of
use as well.
Any suggestions?
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Arsenic, cannot be removed, period end of story.
You want to kill someone maybe even yourself mess with them and see.
BURN THEM OR CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS OFFICE.
Hi Eddie, I worked in a NH Museum for many years and understand the attraction of using 'handed down' specimens for education purposes.
As I understand it arsenic was used both as a soap mix painted on the flesh side of the skin and as a power dusted on. I know of no way to ensure the complete removal of the arcenic. You probally have no way of knowing which way your specimens were prepared.
I agree with John C. that they are far too dangerous to use as hands on teaching aids. You Museun administration should be very concerned about the dangers and liability risks. In my opinion the specimens should be properly destroyed and you should develop a program with the preparation/exhibition staff that incoraporates new 'clean' specimens.
John Why do you have to answer genuine questions like your some kind of ()^#Q$)^_(*&.! That is what tears this site up. Shame on you. As I was told by my mother, "If you have nothing good to say, say exactly that, NOTHING" Maybe you should have listened to your mother John?
John C was straight to the point no sense candy coating something that might kill some one and from the way I read things he made things clear with no room to be misunderstood
I agree with RJ there are two ways to answer a question. With professionalism or without. Also if you burn somthing that has arsenic in it the arsenic does not burn or break down, it can very, very high temperatures. All you do when you burn it is make it air borne and easy to inhale. Sorry John burning is bad advise.