UCLA

The Fowler Museum at UCLA has several objects in their collection which are indicated in their catalog records as being poisonous, although there is little to no information about what poisons were used or whether they are still potent. The objects are currently stored with the rest of the museum’s collection, often with no indication they may contain toxins. This thesis identifies housing solutions as well as storage and handling policies that can be implemented at the Fowler Museum to minimize the health and safety risks to those who might handle the objects. The Globally Harmonized System was used to create hazard labels for the objects. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was investigated as a potential tool for identifying the presence of poisonous compounds on the objects, but was unsuccessful. Recommendations for future research and analysis are also identified.