Sarah, I am also an objects conservator with a focus on preventive and natural history conservation (Carnegie Museum of Natural History) and I concur with both Fran and Rich.
To add to the discussion – during examination of the instruments, you might also want to examine inside of the cases and plastic bags to determine if there is any mold problems. The buffering of the cases should will have helped buffer fluctuations in relative humidity. Mold can be cleaned and reduced easily, especially for the brass instruments. As Fran mentioned, any treatment should be done under the advice of a conservator. You also might consider replacing the plastic bags and plastic drapes. The plastic (depending on the type) becomes yellow and brittle, often giving off pollutants. Check with a health and safety officer about disposal and handling the plastic because of potential guano residue. You may have to wear ppe during the handling process. Please feel free to contact me of-list. Good luck! Gretchen Gretchen Anderson Conservator Carnegie Museum of Natural History (she/her) anders...@carnegiemnh.org<mailto:anders...@carnegiemnh.org> Mobile: 412-420-9083 From: 'Ritchie, Fran E' via MuseumPests <pestlist@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 11:01 AM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: [PestList] Effects of Bat Guano on Musical Instrument Collections CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hi Sarah, I’m an objects conservator for the NPS and I concur with Rich. If there are instruments that somehow were not protected by the bags and have guano directly on them, they could still be cleaned with the help of professionals. If you need to go this route, I’d be happy to discuss specifics off-list. Best, Fran Fran Ritchie, Conservator (Objects) she/her Harpers Ferry Center fran_ritc...@nps.gov<mailto:fran_ritc...@nps.gov> American Institute for Conservation Professional Associate (peer-reviewed) From: pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com> <pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com>> On Behalf Of Pollack, Richard J Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 10:01 AM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [PestList] Effects of Bat Guano on Musical Instrument Collections This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. 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<http://www.ehs.harvard.edu/> From: pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com> <pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com>> on behalf of Sarah Cohen <sarah.cohen21...@gmail.com<mailto:sarah.cohen21...@gmail.com>> Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 9:32 AM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist@googlegroups.com> <pestlist@googlegroups.com<mailto: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. 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