Dear Conchl'ers,
I'd like to let you know that there are probably many more dangers lurking
in our collection than just the cotton that was being discussed. A friend of
mine, Roland De Prins, has been investigating the deterioration of
collections very thoroughly for quite some years now and is now preparing a
serious publication on this topic. As I'm helping him out with the
translation labour, I must admit that I was completely astounded to find out
how many tiny details we never mind prove harmful to our collection. As for
the cottons, he told me (and so does his publication) that almost all
cottons we buy are in fact harmful. The best cottons are synthetic ones and
the worst ones natural cottons.
(Just for the fun: I'm not the only one who's now changing all his tubes for
microshells, as both cork and cotton seem to do damage).
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles F Sturm" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Problems with Packing Shells in Cotton?
> David,
>
> At the carnegie Museum we recently tested some cotton that was yellowing.
> It tested as being very acidic. Other samples of cotton were more neutral.
> If you use cotton, buy a good grade and get a pH Testing pen to see if the
> cotton is acidic. These pens are most readily obtained from companies such
> as Light Impressions (where I bought mine), University Products, and
> Gaylord.
>
> Regards,
> Charlie
>
****************************************************************************
**
> Charlie Sturm, Jr
> Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
> Carnegie Museum of Natural History
> Pittsburgh, PA, USA
>
> Assistant Professor - Family Medicine
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> On Mon, 6 Dec 2004, DAVID LUM wrote:
>
> > Hi.
> > I am well aware of the detrimental effects acidic fumes produced by
> > wood can have on high gloss shells, but has anyone experienced any bad
> > effects with packing specimen shells like cowries and olives in cotton?
> > Your insights would be much appreciated.
> >
> > Aloha,
> > Dave Lum
> > Pearl City, Hawaii
> >
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