Hello Fran, Thank you, for your response to my email. How would we (myself-collections manager and the conservator) go about cleaning the bags, and the instruments? In the past when empty cases were removed from this building they were extensively cleaned with a commercial solution and vacuumed before reuse. I've attached the document outlining those procedures. However, we are more interested in how the instruments stored in the cases can be cleaned. Most chemical cleaning supplies will cause irreversible damage to the brass instruments. How do you recommend we clean those to allow for safe handling by staff and researchers?
Thank you, Sarah On Wed, Jan 3, 2024 at 10:01 AM 'Ritchie, Fran E' via MuseumPests < pestlist@googlegroups.com> wrote: > 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* <fran_ritc...@nps.gov> > > > > *American Institute for Conservation Professional Associate > (peer-reviewed)* > > > > *From:* pestlist@googlegroups.com <pestlist@googlegroups.com> *On Behalf > Of *Pollack, Richard J > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 3, 2024 10:01 AM > *To:* 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 > > > > *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. > 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 > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/MN2PR07MB783930E84B20788714431B599460A%40MN2PR07MB7839.namprd07.prod.outlook.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/SA9PR09MB4974CB93835D351425C03BB6EB60A%40SA9PR09MB4974.namprd09.prod.outlook.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/SA9PR09MB4974CB93835D351425C03BB6EB60A%40SA9PR09MB4974.namprd09.prod.outlook.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. 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PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING GUITAR CASES.docx
Description: MS-Word 2007 document
