PVA health hazards

RE: Susan Griffiths inquiry about PVA:  Your employee may be sensitive
to a fungal inhibitor such as formaldehyde which is commonly in PVA
emulsion formulations.  Some PVA's use plasticizers as well and some of
these can create sensitivities.  PVA by itself is not usually a problem,
although some people are chemical sensitives and are allergic to almost
anything. Try a local fan to blow odors away from the person and make
sure that they use gloves (beware of sensitivities to glove materials
and lubricating powders).

Geoffrey Brown
Curator of Conservation
Kelsey Museum
University of Michigan
313-747-0439

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:78
                 Distributed: Thursday, March 23, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-8-78-002
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