When you say drycleaned, do you mean that the building, the walls, and
the entire collection were vacuumed with HEPA vacuum cleaners or was it
in combination with compressed air? Is the lead contamination in the
form of a particulate? A dust? 

Mary W. Ballard
Senior Textiles Conservator,
Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution
4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD 20746 U.S.A.
tel: 301-238-1210 fax: 301-238-3709 
email [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Nunnikhoven, Karin (MTR)
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 11:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Lead contaminated textiles

Hello,

        I am the Curator for a historic site in Penetanguishene,
Ontario. Recently, our historic building was undergoing some intensive
renovations, including repainting. During the sanding of the window
panes and trim, it was discovered that the paint was lead based.
Unfortunately, all the artefacts, including textiles were under plastic
covers in the building but were contaminated.

        A restoration company had been called in to dry clean the
artefacts and textiles, but unfortunately the artefacts are still
testing to high for lead.

        Has anyone ever dealt with wet cleaning lead contaminated
textiles? If so, what soap products were used? What techniques were
used?

Any and all information on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,
Karin Nunnikhoven
Curator
Huronia Historical Parks
P.O. Box 160
Midland, Ontario
L4R 4K8
(705) 528-7686
[log in to unmask]
www.hhp.on.ca