Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Items on Exhibit
• Items with Coated Papers
• Items with Soluble Inks and Colorants
• Books and Bound Materials
• Manuscripts
• Art on Paper
• Items Housed in Plastic Enclosures
• Photographic Materials
• Microform
• Audio/Visual Recordings
• Paintings and other Framed or Glazed Art
• Metals
• Glass/Ceramics
• Wood
• Textiles
• Wet Natural History Collections

Metals

Recovery Priority during the first 24-48 hours

• When handling metal objects, wear thin plastic (e.g. nitrite) gloves.
• When moving objects, provide support.
• Dry immediately. Metals – especially iron and archaeological metals – can corrode (rust) under damp conditions. Rust can also stain adjacent objects.
• Salvage iron and archaeological metals first, especially ion and copper alloys.
• Drain off water. If water is contaminated and object is wet overall, rinse in clear water, if possible.
• After drying, re-house objects with a desiccant (e.g. silica gel), if available.

Freezing Procedures

• Do not freeze metal items.

Air Drying Procedures

• For items with a stable finish (paint, coating, enamel, etc.):
  • Immediately rinse or sponge off any debris.
  • Blot with a clean absorbent material and air-dry quickly to mitigate against rust.
• For items with an unstable or damaged finish:
  • Do not blot. Air dry only, to avoid disturbing the surface any further.