dk nkf - Nordisk Konservatorforbund Danmark

and woven into fabric, but its most common use is in
asbestos sheeting for roofs, ceilings and floors. It is
also the most likely type found in electrical appliances
and domestic applications.
CSTMC has addressed several major asbestos
concerns over the past years; mostly related to the
locomotives in the collection, but also with aircraft,
and on a much smaller scale various domestic
appliances and pieces of scientific equipment. The
first such project was in 1989, and involved the
removal of asbestos insulation in the 6200 locomotive
which stands on the front lawn of the Museum.
The second large-scale project involved removal
and/or containment of asbestos in the locomotives
on display in the Museum’s Locomotive Pavilion. In
2007, asbestos abatement of the North Star Aircraft
at the aviation Museum was undertaken.
In Canada, the Environmental Protection Act
Procedure C-10 outlines the removal procedures at
Figure 3: CSTMC lighthouse assembly 1981
sites containing substantial quantities of Asbestos
waste. Recognized consultants must be engaged, who
are familiar with current regulations. Waste asbestos
“must be pre-wetted and kept in an appropriately wet
condition…. during all phases of the operations to
eliminate visible dust emissions”. Further, all asbestos
waste must be properly packaged for transportation in
accordance with legislation. All sites must be provided
with passive and active security, and workers must use
respirators and safety clothing as necessary. Ambient
air at the worksite must be monitored according to
Ministry procedures, and measured against the primary
criteria for ambient air of 0.04 asbestos fibres of length
greater than 5 µm per cubic centimetre of air. [1]
Where possible, the asbestos in historic artifacts is
contained rather than removed. The Museum has
an Asbestos Management Program to monitor and
control any risk to the visitors or staff.
3. Mercury is a d-block element in the periodic table,
otherwise known as a transition metal. It is the only
element liquid at standard temperature and pressure
and is volatile at room temperature. It is a persistent,
cumulative toxin with proven severe and fatal effects
on neurological, respiratory and circulatory systems.
It has been used extensively in the industrial world
as a coolant or lubricant, in electrical applications
such as rectifier bulbs, switches and vapour bulbs,
in textile making, cosmetics;, paint additives, and as
amalgams for mirrors or dentistry.
In the original patented design for a mercury drive
system for lighthouse lenses, 100kg of mercury could
support a 3000 kg. optical assembly.[2] The lighthouse
at the Science and Technology Museum has such a
mercury drive system designed to be extremely lowfriction
to support the enormous weight of the lens.
Our unit consists of about 4-5 litres of mercury which
supports an optical assembly of about 1000 kg. The
lighthouse was dismantled at its original location at
Cape North, Cape Breton in October 1980, and was
reassembled and installed on the front lawn of the
Museum in 1981.
In 1993, the Conservation division undertook
an inspection of the mercury bath due to a leak
of amalgam. The mercury was drained and the
mechanism cleaned of corrosion. Both the Coast
227