Arsenic and pre-1970s museum specimens: Using a hand-held XRF analyzer to determine the prevalence of arsenic at Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Abstract

The use of arsenic in the preservation of biological specimens was common practice prior to 1970. Because the Naturalis Center for Biodiversity (Naturalis) has extensive collections from before 1950, it was suspected that it held many contaminated specimens. In 2013, Naturalis tested 220 objects for the presence of arsenic over a period of 2 days using a handheld x-ray fluorescence analyzer, which detects arsenic, lead, mercury, and some other metals on objects. This testing provides an estimate of the prevalence of contaminated specimens, as well as a way to determine whether arsenic had spread into noncollection areas. In addition to specimens, floors, desks, keyboards, gloves, elevators, and lab coats were tested for arsenic presence and quantity. The results indicate that mounted specimens do not spread large amounts of arsenic onto the surrounding areas. However, there was sufficient contamination to warrant concern such that the arsenic-handling policy was modified to include different categories of contamination. From this framework, policy and physical changes to the building were made to minimize exposure by collections staff and visitors.

Microbial Assessment in A Rare Norwegian Book Collection: A One Health Approach to Cultural Heritage

“…Another possibility for the lower-than-expected results—at least in the filter papers and the NGS section of the results—is the confirmed presence of arsenic in the books (article under preparation). Arsenic (soap and dust) was a very popular disinfestation treatment used until the 1970s to preserve and also eliminate insect populations in museological and archival collections [ 8 ].…”

“…The Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive), housed in the University of Bergen Library, Norway (UBL) documents the activity of private companies that traded stock and salted dry cod fish from the 16th until the middle of the 20th century [ 8 ]. This unique collection, composed of 2311 items, mostly accounting books, is included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register due to its cultural, historical, and economic significance.…”