[DaveA]

in reply to: Anatomical Lab on call #930

We have alphanumeric keypads for our doors out of hours. Internally we have motion sensors and, externally we have CCTV. The central point for calling police, fire service etc. is our switchboard and they have an out of hours contact number for me. The Estates department can gain entry in an emergency but I would be called at the same time. I hope this helps.

Dave (Oswestry)

[DaveA]

in reply to: Formaldehyde #897

Thanks for the info Laurence. We know that the timber industry use formaldehyde as part of the process but it is good to have such a useful ‘control’ measurement. I will ensure that the information is spread to our colleagues in BIE.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Formaldehyde #892

Hi Sarah. I’m afraid that there is not a great deal to report at the moment. The German Authorities are looking for papers that prove that formaldehyde solutions do preserve bodies and render harmless target organisms. A number of members have, previously, sent me articles and papers for which I’m grateful. If there is anyone who has any relevant information and has not sent it to me I will be happy to receive it. A person from the British Institute of Embalmers is representing our interests and he will be attending a meeting in Brussels at the end of August.

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Skeleton production #890

There is very little available. Even ‘Anatomical Techniques’ by Thompsett and ‘Medical Museum Techniques’by JJ and MJ Edwards is limited. In the old days you learnt the techniques from a skilled articulator. I think I wrote a paper for the IAS journal. I will have a look.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Museum pots #881

Thanks Steve. I will have a look at their website and, when the person comes back to me with sizes and numbers, I will contact the company.

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Formaldehyde #876

Thanks for the info about the Draeger machine Lucy. At Leicester we used a LION formaldemeter but were advised that they could only be used as a rough guide to approximate levels. If there was any doubt about the levels then a firm with more sophisticated machines should be brought in. At Oswestry we use a firm called CAIRN Technology.

Steve mentions the occasional ‘spikes’ in levels. If there is any good to come out of the proposals it is that we won’t have to worry about the STEL as a Time Weighted Average (TWA) will be used. So any short term deviations can be absorbed over an 8 or 10 hour period.

Can I thank those who have already responded and urge those who have not yet done so to contact us. If you would like to contact me on a confidential basis please feel free to do so.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Test Announcement #865

Test message received

[DaveA]

in reply to: Future IAS meetings #832

If we were given plenty of notice I think we have members in Australia and South Africa!

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Future IAS meetings #827

I like Dublin but Keele seem very keen.

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Proposed new WEL for Formaldehyde by HSE #818

I agree totally with Rambling. We have a large number of members with a wide variety of skills. When I was a junior technician many years ago I was told that anything I learnt was a State Secret and could not be divulged outside the department. It was one of the few areas where I disagreed with my Chief Technician. If we don’t share knowledge and ideas we are doomed to continually re-invent the wheel.

I spent a few days with mother. I love her but I am glad to get back to work!

[DaveA]

in reply to: Proposed new WEL for Formaldehyde by HSE #815

Dear All,

I have just returned from a few days well earned leave so I have only just seen the worries re formaldehyde levels. I have just spoken to Richard Pedersen (one of the authors of the paper) and he tells me that many member states in the EU were worried about the inclusion of formaldehyde and the lack of any real scientific evidence as to why it should be counted as a class 1 carcinogen. In the last month, therefore, it has been removed from the list of 20 substances in the European Directive. A study is being conducted by the University of Ulm into the actual risks posed by formaldehyde.

Basically, this means that formaldehyde stays at 2ppm for the time being. Richard has agreed to send me the briefing notes from Europe.

I would suggest that we do 2 things:

a) breathe a sigh of relief

b) keep a watching brief on the situation so that we can respond if there is a consultation in the future.

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Soft embalming #802

Rambling makes some very good points especially about the use of fresh frozen material. Some of us who work in smaller establishments, while we realise that we will have to bite the bullet at some stage, are nervous about the legal requirements we will have to put in place.

I have absolutely no idea why the ‘sweet-spot’ after chilling worked. I forgot to mention that we also pre-injected about 2L of warm saline and drained it from the femoral vein.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Soft embalming #800

Having come to this discussion late may I add my little contribution. I have done no embalming for 13 years but there were some simple but effective steps that I used to take. Before embalming I used to chill the body in the fridge until it was hard. I then took it out and allowed it to start thawing. At the point where it was still cold but ‘cut-down’ to the structures was still possible the procedure started. After cannulation was finished the embalming fluid was started. I always preferred gravity feed if possible and only used pressure equipment where necessary. As the body started to thaw I would begin to massage the limbs gradually flexing and extending the joints to give the greatest mobility.

I found that the constituents in the embalming fluid were equally important. I used the minimum effective quantity of formaldehyde which for me was 500mls in every 20L. The most important ingredient, however, was glycerin. 5L in every 20L is preferred but I ended up using 3L. This adds to the expense but it depends if you want the results. You can do some great deals with companies if you use enough. In the past I have bought glycerin for half the catalogue price!

I’m sorry this is so long and, as I said, is probably out of date but it does show the value of making up your own fluid so you can experiment.

Good luck

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: potting courses/Equipment needed and space needed to make pots #767

Dear Rachel,

I have a room approx. 7m x 5m which I have altered to become my potting room. It is big enough to house a double size fume cupboard; two sinks (one with a cut-up area attached to it); a ‘clean’ area and a ‘dirty’ area. There is also plenty of bench and shelf space. I was only able to do this because the ventilation was suitable. I hope this helps.

Dave.

[DaveA]

in reply to: Course materials #745

Hi Rachel,

Thanks very much for asking. Maybe someone else might help.

Dave.

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