Sarah, The bags should dramatically reduce exposure of the instruments to contaminants. I’d advise that the exterior of the bags be carefully cleaned before the bags are opened. Consider hiring a company that has the training and equipment to perform the work effectively and safely. CDC offers some guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/features/histoplasmosis.html
Once the work is completed, the instruments could be displayed, stored, and even put back into service. It would seem excessive to dispose of items that have value. -Rich Richard J. Pollack, PhD Senior Environmental Public Health Officer Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) | Harvard Campus Services 46 Blackstone Street., Cambridge, MA 02139 C: 617-447-0763 www.ehs.harvard.edu From: pestlist@googlegroups.com <pestlist@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sarah Cohen <sarah.cohen21...@gmail.com> Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 9:32 AM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com <pestlist@googlegroups.com> Subject: [PestList] Effects of Bat Guano on Musical Instrument Collections Hello all, Over ten years ago, some of my museum’s instrument collection, mostly brass instruments, were placed in offsite storage (this predates myself and current leadership). The instruments with cases were kept inside them, placed inside plastic bags, and tied shut. Instruments without cases were placed in plastic bags and tied shut. These were then stored on shelves fully covered with plastic but not sealed. At one point, this building became infested with bats. The building no longer has a bat problem, and the guano has been removed. We are now addressing these instruments and determining if they are safe to keep or if we need to cut our losses and deaccession everything. What is your professional opinion on musical instruments and exposure to guano? Are there any conservation treatments we can perform to make them safe for us and the rest of the collection? Or do they pose a risk to the non-contaminated instruments? What about the public if they are ever exhibited? Any thoughts, suggestions, or recommendations are appreciated. Please feel free to respond off list as well. Thank you, Sarah Cohen -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAFobeRoDfK6DagBBHvbvMXOJZAe0DPnrC3CvYfWerG6bNMs%3DWw%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAFobeRoDfK6DagBBHvbvMXOJZAe0DPnrC3CvYfWerG6bNMs%3DWw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/MN2PR07MB783930E84B20788714431B599460A%40MN2PR07MB7839.namprd07.prod.outlook.com.
