Displaying medical specimens

Tara Kennedy <tara.d.kennedy [at] yale__edu> writes

>I have come across a situation concerning the permanent display of
>medical specimens: specifically organs in wet specimen jars. I know
>that there are museums (like the Mutter for example) that do this,
>but I was curious if there were any studies on the long-term effects
>of having medical wet specimens on display, whether temporary or
>permanent?

Specimens in fluid can be damaged by exposure to light, with damage
potential increasing as the wavelength of the radiation decreases.
Basically, any deleterious reactions that go on in the containers
between the fluid and the specimens will be accelerated by the
radiation.  In addition, specimens not already faded by the fixation
and/or storage fluid may become faded by exposure to the light.

Specimens in which the fixative included mercuric chloride are
particularly sensitive to light, which can trigger reactions that
result in formation of metallic mercury and mercury sulfides,
darkening the specimens.  If the containers are not well sealed,
mercury vapor can pose a hazard.

Any specimen fixed and stored in formalin can pose a public health
risk if the specimen container is not sufficiently well sealed to
prevent all evaporation.  Formaldehyde is considered a human
carcinogen, so there are really no "safe" levels of exposure.
Specimens stored in ethanol (whether or not fixed in another
substance) could pose a fire hazard if displayed in quantity.
Consulting with an industrial hygienist and a fire protection
specialist is prudent when any display of fluid-preserved specimens
is under consideration.

Catharine Hawks
Conservator
2419 Barbour Road
Falls Church  VA 22043-3026 USA
703-876-9272 (phone/fax)
Mobile: 703-200-4370


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 23:25
                Distributed: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-23-25-005
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