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  • 1.  Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 07-25-2022 18:18

    We have in our collection various 19th century materials--books, wallpaper, ephemera--that are green. Are any do-it-yourself arsenic tests that would help us evaluate the safety of these materials? Everything we're easily finding online is really geared more toward water testing.

    --
    Diana Staresinic-Deane (she/her)
    Executive Director
    Franklin County Historical Society
    PO Box 145, Ottawa, Kansas 66067
    Old Depot Museum: (785) 242-1250
    Records Center: (785) 242-1232


  • 2.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 07-25-2022 19:50
    Hello Diana,
    We are looking into your question and will get back to you as soon as we have some information.

    ------------------------------
    Laura Aust
    Paper Conservator
    Pelham NY
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 07-27-2022 09:07
    Hello Diana,

    I use Catharine Hawk's method.  I have had success using the standard colorimetric quick arsenic test kits that are developed for water and soil testing when needing to qualify the presence of arsenic on ethnographic collections.  This test isn't appropriate for quantitative measurements.  Perhaps it can be adapted to paper.  

    • A sample is taken using a cotton swab lightly dampened with deionized water rolling it along the surface. 
    • Cut the tips off the swabs and place into individual vials (I purchase the 5 dram polystyrene disposable vials with caps)
    • Add a few drops of 1N potassium hydroxide (purchased separately) to dissolve the material picked up by the swab.
    • Add a small amount of zinc dust (provided in test kit) to each vial.
    • Add 2-3 drops HCl (from kit) and immediate close the cap with the test strip dipping into the vial.  The test strip should not touch the swab.  You should observe effervescing. 
    • Monitor the test strip for color change. 
    • Be sure to use a negative control during each test session. 
    Be sure to perform the test in a fume hood or well ventilated area as the reaction produces arsenic gas in positive samples.  Limit the test batch to 10 samples at a time.

    I hope this is helpful.

    ------------------------------
    Nichole Doub
    Head Conservator
    Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
    Saint Leonard MD
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 07-28-2022 15:51
    I often use the Quantofix Arsen test kit; it is qualitative, but the color strips do give quantitative measurements.
    I collect a sample with a damp cotton swab, suspend in the requisite amount of water, and use the chemicals provided in the kit.
    The test is similar to the one Cathy Hawks uses (which is based on a spot test from Feigl, by the way) - zinc dust and sulfamic acid...caution, it produces arsine gas and must be performed in a well ventilated area!

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Goldberg
    Conservator
    Corning NY
    (607) 937-3394
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 07-27-2022 09:07

    Hi Diana,

    As you have already noted, most of the identification methods use analytical equipment, which may be hard to access, or microchemical tests, which create lots of toxic water waste. However, polarized light microscopy can also be used to confirm pigment samples. This is a link to the identification section of the Winterthur Museum Wiki on Arsenic pigments in book materials: http://wiki.winterthur.org/wiki/Poison_Book_Project#:~:text=Polarized%20Light%20Microscopy,winterthur%5Bdot%5Dorg. It provides their contact info to request a copy of their sample-prep and analysis document. 

    Hope this helps a little, and good luck!

    Karissa 



    ------------------------------
    Karissa Muratore
    Conservation Resident
    Northwestern University Library
    Evanston IL
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 09-22-2022 08:10
    Hi Diana-

    We recently received some updated information regarding this post from a few months ago. See below and hope it helps: 

    She is absolutely right that the vast majority of self-testing kits to detect arsenic are for testing water. She may also be familiar with the Poison Book Project, where most of the information on this topic is consolidated. If not, it's a fantastic resource! http://wiki.winterthur.org/wiki/Poison_Book_Project
     
    The wiki created for that project does mention some of the different ways conservators performed the tests, including some reference to test kits, but also clearly state:
    "Arsenic spot tests should be performed only by persons trained in chemical safety, wearing appropriate PPE, under a certified chemical fume hood, with access to safe disposal for hazardous waste according to state law. Arsenic test kits should under no circumstances be used in the home or general library environment."
     
    All that is to say – my top advice would be for Diane to get in touch with the folks at the PBP. Melissa Tedone at Winterthur would most likely be glad to field her questions, or direct her to someone else involved who can.
     
    Conservators in her area might be able to help as well. She can search for folks herself using whatever parameters she'd like to using the American Institute for Conservation's Find a Conservator database: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator
    Or she could reach out to one of the conservators at the University of Kansas, which looks to be relatively close to Ottawa. Whitney Baker (wbaker@ku.edu) is their Head of Conservation Services.
    Best,
    Dyani
     
     
    Dyani Feige
    Director of Preservation Services
    Pronouns: she, her, hers
     
    CONSERVATION CENTER
    FOR ART & HISTORIC ARTIFACTS
     
    t 215.545.0613 ext. 309
    f 215.735.9313
     
    264 S. 23rd Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103
     


    ------------------------------
    --------------------------------------
    Robin Bauer Kilgo (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Coordinator, FAIC
    c2cc@culturalheritage.org
    Contract Registrar/Consultant
    rbkilgo@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 09-23-2022 09:39

    Nicole Grabow at the Midwest Art Conservation Center will do reasonably priced swab arsenic testing. You swab the surface of what you're interested in, and mail them off, and she contacts you with results.

     

    That's often my recommendation for arsenic testing with my clients.

     

    Rebecca

     

     

     

     

    Rebecca Elder

    www.elderpreservation.com

    Rebecca@elderpreservation.com

    512-699-3494

    Pronouns: she/her/hers

     

     




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 09-23-2022 10:59

    Oh, what a great option. I'll reach out. Thanks!

    --
     
    Diana Staresinic-Deane (she/her)
    Executive Director
    Franklin County Historical Society
    PO Box 145, Ottawa, Kansas 66067
    Old Depot Museum: (785) 242-1250
    Records Center: (785) 242-1232



    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Arsenic tests for paper?

    Posted 09-23-2022 10:59

    Thanks so much for the updated information! After reading the previous messages, I recognized that we don't have the facilities to conduct this testing. I plan to reach out to our local educational institutions with properly equipped science labs to see if this is something they could safely do.

    Diana

    --
     
    Diana Staresinic-Deane (she/her)
    Executive Director
    Franklin County Historical Society
    PO Box 145, Ottawa, Kansas 66067
    Old Depot Museum: (785) 242-1250
    Records Center: (785) 242-1232



    Original Message


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