Hazardous substances in ethnobotanical collections

[SBanks]

I am currently undertaking research for a dissertation as part of an MA in Preventive Conservation, the theme of which is the risk assessment and management of hazardous substances in ethnobtoanical collections, in particular in relation to the Economic Botany Collection, Kew, London. I am focussing on intrinsic/inherent substances, though not totally precluding extrinsic substances such as pesticides.

As part of the research process I am trying to collate examples of best /current practice and wonder whether anyone has any experiences/comments/useful references which they would like to contribute/discuss. This could be in relation to ethnobotanical colections or to related collections including, for example, ethnography, medicines, pharamceuticals.

I have also prepared a questionnaire which deals in more general terms with risk asessment and management practices.

If you would like to contribute/discuss this research, have any questions about it, or would like to complete a questionnaire, I can also be contacted by email at:

sheila.banks@northumbria.ac.uk

Many thanks

Sheila Banks