Hello Philipp,

you're welcome. The problem is sometimes more over contaminant exposure that
cannot be seen - otherwise than through in-depht epidemiology monitoring /
air & dust analysis - rather than more visible easily detectible toxicants.
Seemlingly, the benzyl alcohol does'nt have a very strong acute or chronic
toxicity (although the daily exposure of staff should be assessed) and
does'nt have significant persistance in the body or environment.

Some invisible contaminants in dust and air might be much greater issue e.g.
former fungicide-pesticide treatment from 1920 to 1990's with
pentachlorphenols (Na-PCP and PCP-laurate) and Lindane (HCH), for all types
of museologic or natural history collections made in replacement to the well
known poisons used before then (e.g. arseniates and mercury dichloride). PCP
& HCH concentrations may have reduced significantly through time but the two
molecules are able, when aging, to build up dioxane bridges two by two,
creating an extremly concerning type of time-reluctant molecules : the
dichlorobenzo-para-dioxines and furens (known as "dioxins") and
polychlorodiphenyls (known as PCB's) that have extreme chronic toxicity
(DL's at ppm concentrations) and long lasting body (fats) and environmental
persistance. These are, to my opinion, the greatest health issue for people
working in Museum environment but are to this day far from being fully taken
into account (combined lack of information and economic implications ...).

When a much more visible appearant contaminant (such as benzyl alcohol
fumes) are there (and with possible synergic effects in combination with
these odorless/colorless peristant organic pollutants) health issues
recorded among the Museum staff will have much greater chance to be linked
with what's more obvious rather than over other factors more difficult to
evidence. And therefore the corrective measures might not give satisfacory
results although expenses will have been made.

This is why a more in-depht survey of potential contaminants together with
staff health inquiery should often be encouraged (with some extra costs but
also much greater extra benefits to the community) in order to lead the
corrective steps, rather than to focus at once over one specific type of
chemical.

Indoor airborn dust, particulate matter and fumes are usually a complex
organic/mineral dust + chemicals "cocktail". Only a small fraction of this
"cocktail" may reveal as a significant health issue but for long term
exposure should be taken into account : tireness, allergies and respiratory
problems for the most common everyday aspects + heavier pathologies liable
to occur after long term chronic exposure can be avoided in great part, with
unvaluable benefits both to individuals (greater well being, better health)
and to the scientific or cultural community (less costs, more efficiancy and
better harmony).

Many encouragements
Best regards,

Bruno Bordenave
Botanist, PhD of the Paris MNHN

----- Original Message -----
From: "Philipp Thalmann" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: High concentrations of benzylalcohol in the museum environment


Dear Bruno

Thank you very much for the info and the links. I will check those.

Philipp Thalmann