Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions 2. RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions 3. Upcoming Webinars on Spectroscopy: Raman on 14-Apr-2026 and FTIR on 14-May-2026 4. Lead Abatement/Encapsulation: Restoration 5. WEBINAR: Building Frameworks for Response in the Aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Fiona Butterfield Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 6:40 AM Subject: RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Message: Hi Ellen I have successfully tightened the seal on Really Useful Boxes by applying the foam strips that are available as draught excluding (for windows). This is adhered to the box lid, all around the top lip where it touches the body of the box. Time for off-gassing is needed but this creates a nice tight seal between the lid and the box body. Fiona Butterfield ACR Durham University ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 4/13/2026 5:06:00 AM From: Ellen Dutton Subject: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Dear Colleagues, In Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds, we have frequent new acquisitions which we quarantine for four weeks before they can be catalogued and taken into our stores. We usually bag the boxes things arrive in, with the lids off, and place a pest trap on the contents of the boxes. The box is then secured in a large polythene bag and taped shut with parcel tape, but this creates quite a lot of waste with the tape being thrown away once used. After a few uses, the bags also start to get a bit torn and can easily get holes in. We looked at using Really Useful Boxes as an alternative because these are very sturdy, have strong clasps, and we have loads of them already, but unfortunately the lids aren't airtight. We were wondering what other people might use for this scenario - is there a way that people have adapted RUBs? Is there a different type of airtight box which has been used that anyone can recommend? Should we stick with using bags and parcel tape as this can be more flexible, even though it produces more waste? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Many thanks ------------------------------ Ellen Dutton Conservation Technician Leeds University Library Cultural Collections and Galleries ------------------------------ 2.From: Andrew Calver Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 8:41 AM Subject: RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Message: Hi, I've used these in the past and they have a reasonably low air exchange rate from what I remember when I tested them. Certainly better than really useful boxes which are very leaky https://www.solentplastics.co.uk/airtight-plastic-storage-boxes-and-trunks/ ------------------------------ Andrew Calver Consultant Manningtree United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-13-2026 05:06 From: Ellen Dutton Subject: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Dear Colleagues, In Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds, we have frequent new acquisitions which we quarantine for four weeks before they can be catalogued and taken into our stores. We usually bag the boxes things arrive in, with the lids off, and place a pest trap on the contents of the boxes. The box is then secured in a large polythene bag and taped shut with parcel tape, but this creates quite a lot of waste with the tape being thrown away once used. After a few uses, the bags also start to get a bit torn and can easily get holes in. We looked at using Really Useful Boxes as an alternative because these are very sturdy, have strong clasps, and we have loads of them already, but unfortunately the lids aren't airtight. We were wondering what other people might use for this scenario - is there a way that people have adapted RUBs? Is there a different type of airtight box which has been used that anyone can recommend? Should we stick with using bags and parcel tape as this can be more flexible, even though it produces more waste?Any suggestions would be much appreciated!Many thanks ------------------------------ Ellen Dutton Conservation Technician Leeds University Library Cultural Collections and Galleries ------------------------------ 3.From: Mina Porell Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 11:18 AM Subject: Upcoming Webinars on Spectroscopy: Raman on 14-Apr-2026 and FTIR on 14-May-2026 Message: Vibrational Spectroscopy Webinar Series Are you new to infrared and Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, or are you looking for a refresher before the IRUG conference and workshop? The Research and Technical Studies (RATS) specialty group <https://www.culturalheritage.org/groups/rats> is presenting a series of three webinars on vibrational spectroscopy leading up to the IRUG16 Conference & Workshop <http://irug.org/about-us/conferences> at the Winterthur Museum (October 6–9, 2026). Registration is free for AIC members and students; $20 for non-members. Join us this afternoon! Webinar 2: Raman Spectroscopy for Cultural Heritage Presented by Dr. Liora Mael (University of Delaware) and Tim Prusnick (Renishaw) Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM EDT (1-hour presentation + Q&A) For more information and registration: https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/raman-spectroscopy-for-cultural-heritage#tab-product_tab_overview <https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/raman-spectroscopy-for-cultural-heritage#tab-product_tab_overview> --- Webinar 3: FTIR Spectroscopy for Cultural Heritage Presented by Dr. Liora Mael (University of Delaware) Thursday, May 14 | 1:00–2:30 PM EDT (1-hour presentation + Q&A) For more information and registration: https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/ftir-spectroscopy-for-cultural-heritage <https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/ftir-spectroscopy-for-cultural-heritage> All sessions will be recorded and available to registered participants on AIC's Learning Site. For assistance with registration, please contact [email protected] <[email protected]>. ------------------------------ Mina Porell (she/hers) RATS Chair (2025-2026) Associate Conservator of Paintings | Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Affiliated Assistant Professor | Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation ------------------------------ 4.From: Emily Fellmer Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 4:54 PM Subject: Lead Abatement/Encapsulation: Restoration Message: Hello, Our institution is restoring a sculptural neon sign from the mid-1950s and a portion of the paint was tested positive for lead. We are having a difficult time sourcing local vendors in Las Vegas to remediate the lead prior to metal work and repainting. Does anyone have any contacts for lead abatement or encapsulation companies that are willing to travel for this type of work or know of any conservators near the west coast that travel to conduct this type of work? Thank you in advance for your guidance and recommendations. Thank you, Emily Fellmer Senior Collections Manager The Neon Museum ------------------------------ Emily Fellmer Senior Collections Manager Neon Museum Las Vegas United States ------------------------------ 5.From: Abed Haddad Posted: Tuesday April 14, 2026 4:54 PM Subject: WEBINAR: Building Frameworks for Response in the Aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires Message: In anticipation of the joint AIC-CAC 2026 Meeting in Montreal, please join us for presentations and a discussion on building frameworks for fire response. Moderated by Carolina Squires and featuring talks by Laleña Vellanoweth, Linnaea Saunders, Malaika Abramson, Amy Green, Kamila Korbela, and Moira McKee, this event will be on April 21, 2026, at 1pm ET/10am PT, and is open to all. Please use the link here to register- it's free! <https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/building-frameworks-for-response-in-the-aftermath-of-the-2025-los-angeles-wildfires#tab-product_tab_overview> Following the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, recovery of artwork and other personal and cultural materials became a focus for the conservation community. The scale of the damage to Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and the surrounding areas has meant a long-term recovery process. For many, this is their first interaction with conservators, and an opportunity for conservators to share collections care approaches with the wider public. Personal possessions may have been impacted to different degrees, including those that have surface grime/ash, smoke smell, other organic and particulate contaminants, and those that have severe damage, including full transformation of metal, glass, and ceramic objects. The extent of damage is often related to whether a work comes from a standing home or a fully burned home. Because of the complex nature of the pollutants created during the fire, long-term health consequences to owners and conservators are a concern. This webinar will present the experiences of conservators' ongoing and evolving response in Los Angeles, as well as the perspective of insurance adjusters working with industrial hygienists, noting community members' deeper understanding of the complexity of the recovery process. The need to improve upon existing responses is emphasized, given the ongoing concern for similar climate-related disasters in the future. ------------------------------ Abed Haddad AIC Vice President (2025-2027) Assistant Conservation Scientist The Museum of Modern Art New York, NY ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. 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