Does Your Taxidermy Have Arsenic?
My taxidermy? Never!
Don't jump to conclusions because you never know!
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a natural semi-metallic compound. Small amounts can be found in drinking water, rocks, and soil. It can be organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic as it is more likely to react with the cell in your body, displacing certain parts of the cell, and leading to arsenic poisoning.
Arsenic in Taxidermy
Arsenic was used in taxidermy since the 5th Century BC where they placed it in the underside of the animal skin to help preserve it and protect it from insects.
Then, around the 18th Century (1700's) taxidermists began mixing the arsenic with things like aloe, alum, and cinnamon to make it smell better.
In the Victorian era, arsenic was everywhere. I found this advertisement and couldn't resist using it. Please note, there is no familial relation.
Arsenic in taxidermy is often, but not always, referring to a preservative arsenical soap. This soap was invented by Jean-Baptiste Be'coeur, born 1718 and died 1777. The ingredients of the soap were not made public until 1800. So what are the ingredients?
- Camphor 10 grams
- Arsenic 320 grams
- Carbonate of potash 120 grams
- Soap 320 g
- Lime powder 40 grams
- Distilled water 320 grams
As you can see, arsenic was a main ingredient.
Be'coeur played an important role in the history of taxidermy and his arsenic-based soap was used in museums all over the world until the 1980s. As many taxidermy handbooks included his soap you can assume there is a possibility that any taxidermy you buy/own from pre-1980s could have arsenic. And, of course, arsenic could have been used in the taxidermy process itself to preserve the animal and deter any unwanted pests.
But how do you know?
Your main ways of checking are the history of the item and observation. Although, if you have any concerns, contact a professional lab or your local museum organization to discuss having the piece tested.
History of the item
Where does the taxidermy come from? If you got your taxidermy from a museum deaccessioning artefacts you should have been informed on how the artefact was treated (has it ever been treated for pests, have any dangerous chemicals been used, where did the piece originally come from, etc.). If you weren't, you can always contact the museum and ask how taxidermy was treated in the collection and if there is any chance arsenic, in either the taxidermy process itself or the arsenic soap, was ever in contact with the item.
Observation
Have there been any changes to the piece. Particularly, a white powdery substance. Now, Borax, which is also a white powder, is used to help preserve taxidermy. But, if the piece is pre-1980s and you see a white powder, you need to take the situation seriously.
Obviously, if you have a full history of the piece (i.e. your uncle made it and you know what he used) and you know arsenic wasn't used, chances are you're safe. But, if you don't have that, you have a couple options.
1. Wearing full protective gear, place the piece in a air tight case and seal it. This way you can still see the piece but you are not in danger of touching or breathing in arsenic.
2. Contact a lab and have the substance tested. This would have to be done on your own dime and would involve, again, wearing full protective gear and taking a sample of the powder. The lab should provide detailed instructions on how to take a sample.
3. Discarding the piece. This could be difficult because you cannot just place this in your garbage bin. It is hazardous waste so you will need to call your local waste management.
4. What are the laws in your area? If this is arsenic are you even allowed to keep it or are their laws dictating how it is stored? As arsenic is a dangerous material it is monitored so just check into it.
External Sources:
McNeilly, K. "History of Mammal Taxidermy." Radford University. 2015. https://www.radford.edu/content/csat/home/biology/facilities/natural-history-collection/student-opportunities/history-of-mammal-taxidermy.html
Paddock, M. "What is Arsenic Poisoning?" Medical News Today. January 4, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241860.php
Walhimer, M. "Arsenic in Taxidermy Collections." Museum Planner. February 28, 2015. https://museumplanner.org/arsenic-in-taxidermy-collections/
Don't jump to conclusions because you never know!
What is Arsenic?
Arsenic is a natural semi-metallic compound. Small amounts can be found in drinking water, rocks, and soil. It can be organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic as it is more likely to react with the cell in your body, displacing certain parts of the cell, and leading to arsenic poisoning.
 |
| Arsenic (Photo Credit) |
Arsenic in Taxidermy
Arsenic was used in taxidermy since the 5th Century BC where they placed it in the underside of the animal skin to help preserve it and protect it from insects.
Then, around the 18th Century (1700's) taxidermists began mixing the arsenic with things like aloe, alum, and cinnamon to make it smell better.
In the Victorian era, arsenic was everywhere. I found this advertisement and couldn't resist using it. Please note, there is no familial relation.
 |
| Couldn't resist using this! (Health and Home, 1897). |
Arsenic in taxidermy is often, but not always, referring to a preservative arsenical soap. This soap was invented by Jean-Baptiste Be'coeur, born 1718 and died 1777. The ingredients of the soap were not made public until 1800. So what are the ingredients?
- Camphor 10 grams
- Arsenic 320 grams
- Carbonate of potash 120 grams
- Soap 320 g
- Lime powder 40 grams
- Distilled water 320 grams
As you can see, arsenic was a main ingredient.
Be'coeur played an important role in the history of taxidermy and his arsenic-based soap was used in museums all over the world until the 1980s. As many taxidermy handbooks included his soap you can assume there is a possibility that any taxidermy you buy/own from pre-1980s could have arsenic. And, of course, arsenic could have been used in the taxidermy process itself to preserve the animal and deter any unwanted pests.
But how do you know?
Your main ways of checking are the history of the item and observation. Although, if you have any concerns, contact a professional lab or your local museum organization to discuss having the piece tested.
History of the item
Where does the taxidermy come from? If you got your taxidermy from a museum deaccessioning artefacts you should have been informed on how the artefact was treated (has it ever been treated for pests, have any dangerous chemicals been used, where did the piece originally come from, etc.). If you weren't, you can always contact the museum and ask how taxidermy was treated in the collection and if there is any chance arsenic, in either the taxidermy process itself or the arsenic soap, was ever in contact with the item.
 |
| You need to take precautions if there is a chance the item contains arsenic (Image Credit) |
Observation
Have there been any changes to the piece. Particularly, a white powdery substance. Now, Borax, which is also a white powder, is used to help preserve taxidermy. But, if the piece is pre-1980s and you see a white powder, you need to take the situation seriously.
Obviously, if you have a full history of the piece (i.e. your uncle made it and you know what he used) and you know arsenic wasn't used, chances are you're safe. But, if you don't have that, you have a couple options.
1. Wearing full protective gear, place the piece in a air tight case and seal it. This way you can still see the piece but you are not in danger of touching or breathing in arsenic.
2. Contact a lab and have the substance tested. This would have to be done on your own dime and would involve, again, wearing full protective gear and taking a sample of the powder. The lab should provide detailed instructions on how to take a sample.
3. Discarding the piece. This could be difficult because you cannot just place this in your garbage bin. It is hazardous waste so you will need to call your local waste management.
4. What are the laws in your area? If this is arsenic are you even allowed to keep it or are their laws dictating how it is stored? As arsenic is a dangerous material it is monitored so just check into it.
External Sources:
McNeilly, K. "History of Mammal Taxidermy." Radford University. 2015. https://www.radford.edu/content/csat/home/biology/facilities/natural-history-collection/student-opportunities/history-of-mammal-taxidermy.html
Paddock, M. "What is Arsenic Poisoning?" Medical News Today. January 4, 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241860.php
Walhimer, M. "Arsenic in Taxidermy Collections." Museum Planner. February 28, 2015. https://museumplanner.org/arsenic-in-taxidermy-collections/
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