Basicly I need to know if formalin will still out-gas or still be a hazard to health after it has been through the freeze-drying process.
The Museum Victoria (Australia) has an extensive program using mounts as educational aids. we have found that the f'dried mounts hold up the best with all the handling by the public. We have experimented with injecting formalin into mounts before freezing and found it clearly inhibits bug attack and minimises shrinkage. but I do not want to expose anyone to formalin if it is still considered a risk after this process.
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I haven't noticed any ill effects, but only started experimenting with using formalin in freeze dried mounts about 6 months ago in some personal stuff, haven't tried any on customers mounts as of yet.
I dont have the answer, but I have to ask...are you guys sure that the formalin even can be stabilized in the FD process?
I dont have the answer, but I have to ask...are you guys sure that the formalin even can be stabilized in the FD process?
Formaldehyde is a gas suspended in a liquid ( water) when exposed to air it tries to return to a gaseous state. Formalin is a dilute form of Formaldehyde I'm not sure how long it takes, but it does dissipate eventually.
Tony
One of the reasons it isnt acceptable here in the USA is because it's considered a carcinogen (Cancer causing)! It's also why we have developed our product "Preservz-It" because although its also an aldehyde based product - but it doesnt cause cancer. I would advise you to consider an alternative, such as Preservz-It for future use. Simply as a matter of safety for your curators that prepare the skins. If you need more information - please contact me! This product is used the same way as Formalin or Formaldehyde - but has none of the side-effects! We also have a Distributor in Australia.
Have some snakes in the freeze dryer now that were injected with preservz-it. Looking forward to seeing how they come out, this is my first attempt with the preservz it, so have no idea yet how they'll dry.
Have a good one
Don
Thanks Tony, I wondered about that.