Case studies in pesticide identification at the National Museum of the American Indian
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Book Chapter |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISBN: | ISBN 1-84407-253-3 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/14tmh_70.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), like most museums with older collections, is dealing with a legacy of past pesticide application that has left these collections contaminated. NMAI, along with several institutions and individuals, has recently been involved in several projects to develop resources and techniques for identification of the pesticides. The work at NMAI has focused on developing methodologies and information resources that are as useful to tribes as we can make them. The goal is to provide information that allows people to make informed decisions so that the health and safety of individuals is not threatened when objects are returned to the community. CONCLUSIONS. NMAI is working in many different ways to make our collections available to Native people through loans, repatriation, exhibits, and media presentations. But making these things available also carries with it the responsibility to do all we can to identify hazards they may carry. When objects go back to the community, anyone may come into contact with the pieces: children, elders, people with sensitivities and in ill health. Through this work and the work of our colleagues we are beginning to find ways to provide information that allow people to understand the problems, allays fears and find ways for the objects to be used safely. |
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| ISBN: | ISBN 1-84407-253-3 |
