Dear Colleagues, We'd like to share this information about the application of 'denatured ethanol' to treat collections and using proper gloves while working with hazardous material, their problems, and varieties (e.g. cotton, nitrile and others).
Also, raise these questions among each other of: Is there such a thing as clean hands? Are we addressing enough the use of a particular glove(s) to wear with organic solvents and objects' manipulations during examination/ handling? This recent interview with Dr. Cordelia Rogerson and Dr. Paul Garside from the British Library provides interesting tips on gloves' policies. http://thecword.show/2017/04/12/s01e04-glove-up/ Notes: Terry Kent’s research for the British Library: http://blogs.bl.uk/collectioncare/2016/09/fingerprints-their -potential-impact-in-relation-to-handling-library-collections.html Arsenic in rice: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38910848 Nitrile glove recycling scheme: https://www.terracycle.co.uk/e n-UK/brigades/gloves Ethanol - Danger, Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Toxic via inhalation, skin and eye exposure and ingestion. Causes serious eye irritation. This message by the Health and Safety Committee was circulated in the AIC-BPG listserve in 2017; but we would like to share it with the conservation community. From: Aisha Wahab <aisha.wa...@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Dec 12, 2017 at 11:41 AM Subject: [BPG] Denatured ethanol To: b...@cool.conservation-us.org Denatured ethanol is often used in conservation labs because it costs less and is easier to purchase than pure 200-proof ethanol. Denatured ethanol is ethanol that contains additives to make it foul-smelling and poisonous to prevent recreational consumption. However, did you know that various chemicals are used as additives, and not all of these chemicals are equally safe? Some companies use methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) while other companies use isopropyl alcohol as an additive, often at a similar price. Pay attention to what is in your denatured alcohol. Try to purchase ethanol denatured with isopropyl alcohol as it is the safest additive option and, as always, protect yourself with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls, such as a fume hood or exhaust trunk. If you have questions about health and safety contact us at: healthandsaf...@conservation-us.org. Articles, brochures and other information available on our website and wiki: www.conservation-us.org/healthandsafety www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Health_&_Safety _______________________________________________ bpg mailing list b...@cool.conservation-us.org http://cool.conservation-us.org/mailman/listinfo/bpg ---- Other Ethyl Alcohol Key points: Inhalation causes irritation of the nose and throat, with choking and coughing at high concentrations. Skin and eye exposure can cause burning, stinging and lacrimation of the eyes. Exposure to higher concentrations may occur in an occupational setting such as industry or a lab setting where 100% ethanol or mixtures 70%:30%, ethanol: water are sometimes used. In such environments safe levels are enforced to protect workers. Ethanol can cause adverse effects on the reproductive system in males and females and on fertility. It can also affect the unborn child, such as causing foetal alcohol syndrome which is characterized by organ abnormalities, lower birth weight, abnormal brain development and behavioural and health problems. These negative effects can be achieved due to consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or occupational exposure or both alcohol-based products. If you frequent inhale and use high concentrations of ethanol as solvent (e.g. for aqueous treatments, varnishes, adhesives and others) and/or disinfectant in the workplace seek medical advice and follow proper safety procedures such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls, such as a fume hood or exhaust trunk or portable fume extractor, thus always use masks, gloves and cover your skin during treatments. Valeria Orlandini Conservator of Works on Paper and Photographic Materials Chevy Chase, MD http://orlandini-paperconservation.blogspot.com/ Jacques Rebiere Conservateur-Restaurateur - Directeur-Gérant SCOP LC2R Laboratoire Conservation Restauration Recherches LC2R Draguignan 19 rue Frédéric Mireur, 83300 Draguignan, France Tel: 04 94 68 90 15 / Fax: 04 94 85 04 04 lc2r.conservat...@orange.fr www.art-conservation.fr David Jacobs Co-founder Conservation Associates UK conservationassociate...@gmail.com ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to consdistlist-le...@cool.conservation-us.org Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
