Note: this is an internal document I produced to help properly organize the chemicals in my conservation lab for safety and inventory purposes. In some cases I’ve made extra notes for myself about what the chemical may be used for. For a few of them, I’m not sure. Many of these pre-date my time here, as there has been a conservation lab at the Alaska State Museum since 1976. I am in the process of determining how many of these chemicals to keep, as good lab hygiene suggests not keeping more than is needed. However, some of these chemicals have been used on collections, and keeping them may help inform future conservation treatments. There are also many things on this list that I will likely never have again if I get rid of them now. I’m posting the list for you here to show what kinds of chemicals a typical objects conservation lab might have, and to invite commentary on either my safety decisions or the uses (maybe obsolete?) of these substances. Please feel free to comment, as it would make the posting more useful.
1. CORROSIVES: ACIDS
(Strong acid storage under fume hood)
Sulfuric Acid in 500mL glass reagent bottle, nearly full
Hydrochloric Acid 500mL in glass reagent bottle, nearly full
Nitric Acid 500mL in glass reagent bottle, nearly full in separate secondary container
2. CORROSIVES: BASES
(Yellow flammables cabinet, plastic tub, middle shelf)
Ammonium Hydroxide 500mL glass reagent bottle (80% full) NH4OH cleanser, dyemaking, wood stain
Ammonium Hydroxide 4L glass reagent bottle (30% full)
Calcium Hydroxide 1 lb glass jar dry chemical (80% full) CaOH is used to bleach or buffer paper
Calcium Hydroxide saturated solution in small glass jar full
Chloramine T 1/2lb plastic jar (60% full) Chloramine T is N-chloro tosylamide, used as a bleach, disinfectant, and paper fungicide
Potassium hydroxide in a small amber glass bottle Used in arsenic testing
Sodium Hydroxide 5% 1L plastic bottle full NaOH aka caustic soda, soda lye
Sodium Hydroxide pellets 1lb glass jar (80% full)
Sodium Hydroxide in H2O in small glass dropper bottle full
Sodium Hydroxide 10% solution in small glass dropper bottle (80% full)
Sodium Perborate Dec 1997 in a plastic cool whip tub Mild bleaching solution used in textile conservation?
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) in water 2%, small glass jar (70% full) Sequestrant, emulsifier , paint remover
3. OXIDIZING AGENTS
(Low cabinet across from fume hood, in a secondary container)
Keep separate from flammable solvents, glycerol, and reducing agents
Carusorb pellets 400g glass bottle full 5 % potassium permanganate on alumina filter for organic gases such as formaldehyde and acetic acids, turns from purple to brown when used.
Iodine crystalline 25g glass jar unopened for spot testing
Iodine, Sublimed 125 g jar unopened in plastic bag for spot testing
Potassium Ferrocyanide 10g small glass jar. K4Fe(CN)6 Iron and copper spot tests and paper fungicide
Silver nitrate 5g powder in small glass bottle For chloride testing. Keep away from ammonium compounds
4. REDUCING AGENTS
(Low cabinet below counter, under cabinet one)
Keep away from oxidizing agents
Formic acid sometimes used in electrolytic reduction
Activated Carbon 16oz in a plastic jar, unopened Filtration, odor reduction
5. TOXICS
(Yellow flammables cabinet, some in plastic tub, middle shelf)
Arsenic H20 in plastic film canister empty
“Badger + arsenic” water in plastic film canister (40% full) Known positive for arsenic testing
Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Molybdate Dihydrate, Potassium Antimony Tartrate, Potassium Pyrosulfate in small plastic jar Spot testing?
Boric Acid powder in 16oz plastic lab wash bottle Insect killer
Dimethyl Sulfoxide DMSO small glass jar full (CH3)2 SO Dipolar aprotic solvent, penetrates membranes, less toxic than DMF. Good paint stripper
Dimethylforamide DMF small glass jar (20% full) Dipolar aprotic solvent. Universal solvent. HCON(CH3)2
Diphenylamine 25g glass jar unopened Diphenylamine is a spot test for cellulose nitrate
Hydrogen sulfide test paper Spot testing
Manganese Sulfate Monohydrate small plastic jar Spot test for oil
Potassium Iodide, Lithium Hydroxide monohydrate small plastic jar spot test?
Phenyl Arsene Oxide in plastic bottle approx 60mL (50% full) for arsenic tests, but better to use a true sample
Roach Prufe 1lb can (50% full) Orthoboric acid H3BO3 Insect killer
Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Sulfide, Ammonium Chloride, Erichrome Dye plastic jar spot test?
Sudan III .5g in 100cc 70% alcohol large glass canning jar now dry powder possible toxin. Biological stain. Sudan III is a fat soluble dye used as a test for triglycerides
Sudan III 0.5% in 100cc ethanol in a 30 oz Ragu glass jar (20% full)
Sudan III 25 g glass jar (80% full)
Sulfamic Acid small plastic jar H3NSO3 spot testing
Triton X-100 1 plastic bottle in plastic bag under sink Nonionic surfactant Octylphenoxyl polyethoxyethanol possible teratogen “Suspect Reproductive Hazard”
Xylamon wood worm killer 4.2 fl oz metal bottle (60% full) Contains Lindane (gamma benzene hexachloride) C6H6Cl6 100x more toxic than DDT and an organic pollutant. Possible carcinogen.
6. FLAMMABLES
(Yellow flammables cabinet, top shelf)
Spot testing solutions
Cacotheline C21H21N3O7 solution 0.6% in small glass dropper bottle (80% full) spot test for tin
Cacotheline solution in glass dropper bottle Oct. 2002
Diacetone Alcohol small glass jar (70% full) Properties of both acetone and ketone
Dithiozone in trichloroethylene .01% in small glass dropper bottle nearly empty
Ethylene glycol small plastic dropper bottle
Hydrochloric Acid 5% in small glass dropper bottle (90% full)
Also here: Adhesives in solvent solutions, mostly in ethanol and acetone solutions. See adhesives inventory
FLAMMABLES CON’T
(Yellow flammables cabinet, second shelf)
Proprietary products
Brasso in two 8 fl oz metal cans (full and half-full) Petroleum distillate, silica, and ammonia. Causes stress cracking in brass
Ceresin Leather Dressing 1 pint glass bottle (70% full) Ceresin is a wax similar to paraffin, probably in ethanol. Used for paper and textile sizing and for leather dressing.
Energine Spot Remover in 8 fl oz metal container with Naptha (80% full)
Incralac in toluene (?) large glass reagent bottle (60% full) Used with Paraloid B-44 and BTA as a lacquer for bronze
Incralac diluted in toluene, small glass flask (30% full)
Loctite Extend Rust Neutralizer 8 fl oz plastic jar mostly full
Polane HS Juneau Turquoise gallon metal can full Polane is an epoxy paint for Nimbus outdoor sculpture (Epoxy paint)
Polane A exterior catalyst in metal bottle
Preval aerosol spray in a box 3 oz Converts a jar of paint to an aerosol spray
Sodium dodecyl sulfate 100g dry powder in a glass jar July 2010
Wei T’o Solution No 3 30 fl oz glass jar, mostly full EMEC (Ethoxyl magnesium ethylcarbonate) or MMMC (methoxy magnesium methyl carbonate) used as a nonaqueous neutralizing agent for paper. Avoid with coated, colored, or lignin papers
FLAMMABLES CON’T
(Yellow flammables cabinet, third shelf and bottom shelf)
solvents
Acetone 16 oz plastic lab washbottle
Acetone 2 oz plastic lab bottle
Acetone 3 4L glass reagent bottles (two full, one almost empty)
Acetone in a large glass dropper bottle (10% full)
Amyl Acetate, mixed isomers 1pt glass bottle (90% full) Solvent for cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, metallic paints. Was used in AJK Dough (Alvar Jute Kaolin) and BJK Dough (Butvar Jute Kaolin)
Butyl alcohol 500mL glass jar nearly full
Butanol medium glass jar (30% full) CH3(CH2)2CH2OH aka butyl alcohol solvent for paint, fat, oil, wax. Stronger than ethanol
CitrisSolve in 150mL glass lab jar full
Ethanol 2 oz plastic lab bottle
Ethanol in medium size glass jar (50% full0
Hexane small glass jar (60% full) Hexane is the major component of ligroin
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol in two 32 oz plastic bottles (70% and 30% full)
Stoddard’s Solvent 4L glass reagent bottle (80% full)
Isopropanol 50% full
Muriatic Acid in large plastic jug weak hydrochloric acid
Punctilious Ethyl Alcohol 190 proof 5 gallon metal can (75% full)
Used Punctilious Ethyl Alcohol 190 proof 5 gallon metal can (20% full) Used to dewater Princess Sophia Camera
Toluene 4L glass reagent bottle (40% full)
Toluene 16oz red plastic lab wash bottle
Varsol 30 fl oz glass jar (80% full) Varsol contains mineral spirits similar to VM&P naphtha or dry-cleaning fluid
Xylenes 4L glass reagent bottle nearly full
Also on shelf: Box with small plastic dropper bottles used for site visits: toluene, Stoddards, xylene, distilled water, acetone, and ethanol.
Also on bottom shelf: Large red metal safety can, nearly empty, Small red metal safety can labeled “acetone”
Small red metal safety can labeled “varsol”
7. GENERAL CHEMICAL SUPPLY
(Cabinet one, top shelf)
Alizarin Crimson Red solution 0.1% in glass dropper bottle Oct. 2002 spot test for aluminum
Ammonium acetate 500g amber glass jar dry crystals July 2010
Ammonium citrate dibasic 500g amber glass jar dry crystals July 2010 iron stain removal from certain substrates
Ammonium citrate dibasic 50g plastic bag dry crystals July 2010
Benzotriazole 100g plastic jar (50% full)
Benzotriazole 100g glass jar (50% full) BTA is a corrosion inhibitor
Cacotheline powder small glass jar (10%full) Cacotheline is a spot test for tin
Calcium Carbonate 1/2lb glass jar (50% full) CaCo3 base, also used to polish metal
Citric Acid Anhydrous 1kg dry crystals in a plastic jar
Copper Sulfate solution 2% w/v 1L plastic bottle full CuSo4 Used as a protein test with NaOH, or as a dye mordant
Ferrous Hexametaphosphate 1kg plastic jar (almost full) NaPO3 Ie Calgon, Graham’s salts: detergent, emulsifier corrosion inhibitor,
Ferrous Sulfate 1lb glass jar (80% full) FeSO4 Used as a spot test for tin or as a dye mordant
Magnesium Carbonate 500mg glass jar (80% full) MgCO3Magnesium carbonate is used to neutralize paper and to dry clean
Ninhydrin, Monohydrate 5 g jar unopened in plastic bag spot test for ammonia or proteins
Potassium Iodide 25g plastic jar unopened
Potassium Iodide 100g glass jar unopened Iodine and KI are combined as a spot test for starch
Sodium carbonate anhydrous 1kg dry in a plastic jar July 2010
Sodium bicarbonate 3 g dry powder in plastic jar July 2010
Sodium sesquicarbonate 1000g dry powder
Tannic Acid 1 lb glass jar (90% full) Tannic acid is a rust converter, but turns it black
Tannic Acid l lb glass jar (25% full)
Tannic Acid 100g plastic jar unopened
Thymol approx 500g glass jar (70% full) Thymol was commonly used as a fungicide in pastes, but dissolve soil paints and varnish
Versene Fe-3 Flake 1 lb glass jar (50% full) Versene is a chelating agent, possible to remove rust stains?
Box of spot test papers:
Lead acetate paper
Cuprotesmo paper
Plumbtesmo paper
Quantofix nitrate test
Nickel test paper
Chromium paper
Oil test paper
Silver papers
Alka-Seltzer two packets
GENERAL CHEMICAL SUPPLY CON’T
(Cabinet two, top shelf)
British Museum Leather Dressing 1pint plastic bottle (50% full) BMLD includes lanolin, oil and beeswax in hexane
British Museum Leather Protector 1 pint plastic bottle (30% full)
British Museum Leather Protector 1 pint plastic bottle full BMLP contains potassium lactate and paranitrophenol
Unidentified Furniture Oil plastic bottle (50% full)
Glycerin, Anhydrous 4fl oz plastic jar (90% full) Glycerin is an emulsifier and plasticizer
Glycerin in a 2 oz glass jar (70% full)
Lanolin, Anhydrous 1 lb plastic jar (80% full)
Lanolin, Anhydrous small glass jar from Harry Race Druggist, Sitka
Mineral Oil 32 fl oz large glass bottle (90% full)
Mineral Oil 32 fl oz large plastic bottle (90% full)
Mohawk Lemon Oil Polish 2 fl oz plastic jar (50% full)
Mohawk Lemon Oil Polish 2 fl oz plastic jar (50% full)
Neutralfat SSS in a glass jelly jar, full
Neutralfat SSS in large lab glass bottle w/ ground glass stopper (50% full) Neutralfat is a stabilized oleine soap
Old English Furniture Polish Lemon oil 8fl oz plastic bottle (90% full)
Saddle Soap, one metal tin Saddle soap is a combo of castile soap and Neat’s Foot oil
Sorbitol 500g glass jar (90% full) Sorbitol is a simple sugar used as an emulsifier or humectant. More absorbent than glycerol.
GENERAL CHEMICAL SUPPLY CON’T
(Under counter with sinks)
Igepal Ca-630 8oz in plastic bottle Non ionic surfactant from Talas July 2010
Orvus Paste 3 plastic jugs 7 ½ lb each Pure sodium lauryl sulfate. In hard water or acids, can form scum
Orvus Paste 1 pint plastic jar (30% full) Orvus is an anionic detergent, sodium laurel sulfate?
GENERAL CHEMICAL SUPPLY CON’T
(Small refrigerator)
EM Quant Nitrate test strips, 2 jars 100 each
EM Quant Arsenic test kits, 2 expired 2000
Contain small glass containers of zinc powder and hydrochloric acid
Enzyme Lipolase in glass jar with plastic bag. Full.
Fat decomposing enzyme Hydrolysis of triglycerides
Enzyme Alcalase in glass jar with plastic bag. Full.
Protein stain removal
Enzyme Celluzyme in glass jar with plastic bag. Full.
Can enhance food stain removal
GENERAL CHEMICAL SUPPLY CON’T
(Cabinet under fume hood)
Anhydrous Glycerine in 1 gallon plastic jug (80% full) Emulsifier, plasticizer
BoraCare 1 gallon plastic jug solidified (80% full) Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate for totem pole care
Impel Rods in box, only 6 left. Anhydrous Disodium Octaborate (Na2B8O13) for totem pole care
X-100 Natural Seal 1 gallon plastic can half full? Comes in both paraffinic oil or water based. Contains UV inhibitors and borates, used for totem pole care
8. CHEMICAL SPILL RESPONSE
(Cabinet under the sink)
- 10 Chemsorb Universal sorbents, 16” x 9” grey pads in a clear plastic bag
- 3M P-110 Chemical sorbent pads 11” x 13” yellow in a yellow box of 50 pads
- Hazorb chemical spill kit from Lab Safety supply with six small packs, gloves, bags in a white box marked “HAZORB” in blue
Posted by ellencarrlee 
Ellen Carrlee Conservation 
