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Sylvia Packaging an object in a sealed barrier film bag will protect it from a variety of threats (including insects). This is a well-established procedure in many industries (especially foodstuffs). A great deal of effort, study and funding has gone into the development of these methods. Of course, the microclimate thus created must be carefully considered (in industry, this is called MAP or modified atmosphere packaging). MAP has many attractive benefits. One aspect of barrier packaging is that while it prevents insects, pollution, dust, etc from entering the package, it also locks existing poisons in the artefacts inside the bag. This mitigates most of the problems involved in handling and storing poisonous objects. Packaging in clear barrier film bags, perhaps using oxygen absorbers, might be an option for some or all of the collection. Of course, this depends on budget, size of collection, expected use of collection, etc. However, it is a real possibility, and should be considered. There's more general information on anoxic packaging in my new website at www.keepsafe.ca js Jerry Shiner Keepsafe Microclimate Systems Specialists in the design, procurement, and installation of environmental control systems for museums and archives www.keepsafe.ca i...@keepsafe.ca +1 416 703 4696 +1 800 683 4696 -----Original Message----- From: "Sílvia Sequeira" <s.o.seque...@gmail.com> Sent: 1/11/2010 8:26 AM To: "pestlist@museumpests.net" <pestlist@museumpests.net> Subject: [pestlist] Preventive pest control for biological collections We are conservators at an investigation institute, in Lisbon, which has many different collections related to tropical countries. Our biological collection comprehends a unique insects compilation, several skeletons and stuffed animals. Currently and for almost one century, this collection has been frequently sprayed (twice a month) with commercial insecticides and naphthalene balls have been placed in the specimens enclosures as a preventive measure. The collection director can not put at risk these unique specimens, so he continues to apply these toxic products. Due to the obvious reasons we are searching for a non toxic option, which would prevent the vulnerability of this collection to pests, at all levels. We are aware of the disinfestation methods with anoxia, CO2, freezing and heat treatments, but they are not preventive. The freezing permanent storage could be an option but we are not sure if would not damage some of these fragile specimens. Does any one have an advice for preventive solutions, besides IPM, since, with this program we can not assure 100% protection, and we can not afford losing any specimens? Many thanks, -- Sílvia Sequeira, Laura Moura Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical Web site: www.iict.pt ------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestl...@museumpests.com To unsubscribe from this list send an email to imail...@museumpests.net and in the body put: "unsubscribe pestlist" Any problems email l...@zaks.com
