Protecting Yourself Against Art Hazards: Fine Art Collections

1
Protecting Yourself Against Art Hazards Fine Art
Collections

• What hazardous materials are we potentially
  exposed to?

2
Fine Art Contaminants

• Inherent in the creation of the artwork
• Paints
• Pigments
• Dyes
• Fibers
• Metals.

• Added post-creation of the artwork
• Pesticides
• Fungicides
• Preservatives
• Fumigants.

3
Fine Art Contaminants

• Pesticides
• Organochlorine
• Organophosphate
• Carbamate
• Organonitrogen.

4
Fine Art Contaminants

• Volatile Organics
• Thymol
• Paradichlorobenzene
• Ethylene Oxide
• Chloroacetophenone (Tear Gas).

5
Fine Art Contaminants

• Metals

• Arsenic
• Chromium
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• Lead
• Cobalt.

6
Fine Art Contaminants

• Organic
• Fungi
• Mold
• Endotoxins
• Bacteria.

7
Fine Art Contaminants

• Others
• Hydrogen Cyanide
• Hydrogen Selenide.

(HCN)
(H2Se)
8
Decorative ArtsCeramics, Glass, Jewelry, Metal

• Pigments Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Uranium
• CN in plated objects
• Hg Vapor.

9
Fine Arts Paints, Drawings and Prints, Sculptures

• Pesticide Residues
• Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cobalt from pigments
• Hg Salts as a fungicide
• Silicates /Asbestos.

10
Furniture

• Carcinogenic wood dusts
• PVC degradation
• Biohazards fungi, bacteria, endotoxins
• Pain t pigments
• Pesticide residues
• Hg vapors.

11
Photography

• Release of hydrogen selenide gas
• Nitrate film combustion
• Mold spores
• Nitrate deterioration
• Hg Salts/Processing Chemicals.

12
Textiles Upholstery, Costumes, Vestments

• Hg Vapor
• HCN from UV on silk
• Pesticide Residues
• Cu, aniline pigments and dyes.

13
Architectural ObjectsStructures/Fragments

• Pesticide residues
• Pb, Cd, Asbestos containing material
• Cr in patinas, Hg amalgams in mirrors.

14
Contaminated Glassware, Ceramics, Jewelry and
Metal

• Celluloid/ivory, MOP
• Uranium glazes
• Hg, Cr, Cd in pigments
• Hg, Cd in alloys
• CN in gold and silver plated objects
• Pb in paint, stained glass
• Radioactive pigments
• Poison Seeds.

15
Routes of Exposure

• Main route of exposure is through direct contact
  with the artwork
• Exposure hazards prevented or reduced by
  implementation of engineering controls, work
  practice modification, and PPE

16
Exposure Controls

• Engineering
• Evaluate ventilation System for Area
• Install Local Exhaust
• Designing out the hazard
• Reviewing handling procedures.

17
Exposure Controls

• Work Practices
• Minimize Direct Contact
• Personal Hygiene
• Cleaning Work Surfaces
• HEPA Vacuum.

18
Exposure Controls

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Gloves
• Smocks
• Respirators
• Safety Glasses/Goggles
• Steel-toed Boots.

19
Exposure Controls

• Administrative
• Training
• Time
• Distance
• Shielding.