Document Owners: CSIP Environmental Standards Group
Date for Review: 10.12.2013
1 It is recognised that the poor or non-existent control of the environment in Wandsworth and the Waterhouse building has meant that large sections of the NHM collections are stored in extreme environmental conditions ranging between 75 and 23% RH and 14 – 29 ⁰C. These figures not only fall well outside the CSIP standards, the (agreed) building parameters for the buildings, but also the NMDC and Bizot group standards.
In Wandsworth, G1 and G2 store the taxidermy collections show shrinkage and tear damage due to long term exposure to fluctuating, raised or low relative humidity and pollution damage. The relative humidity regularly goes above 70% with consequent mould risk and mould eating insects have been found in the store. Many of the specimens have deteriorated to a point where they will require conservation work before future use but currently show minimal signs of on-going deterioration.
2 Bizot Group (International Group of Organizers of Large Scale Exhibitions) Frankfurt October 25-27. 2012, Appendix 7
3 The document currently lacks data on energy costs for maintaining (low) temperatures at a recommended relative humidity or has been able to undertake cost benefit analysis on collection stability versus energy management . when these become available then a cost-benefit analysis of environmental conditions, energy costs and collection preservation will be undertaken
5The following caveats apply: It is recognised that many existing cabinets in the museum have been contaminated by compounds used for pest control or from storage of specific minerals or fossils. These materials include paradichlorobenzene (PDB), Naphthalene, Mercuric Chloride, Mercury, Arsenic, Arsenic Trioxide. It is hoped that the museum will slowly remove contaminated cabinetry and replace it with a modern standard. Cabinetry will require treatment locally when a pest infestation is identified with chemicals approved by the Integrated Pest Management Group and will thus become contaminated through their lives. Certain cabinetry will produce an internal contaminant and will not meet the expected parameters for pollutants. This will be clearly marked in line with Health and safety legislation.