In a twist of fate, arsenic, once used to preserve the remarkable animal specimens at the Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has now become the reason behind its closure after nearly four decades. The museum was renowned for its exceptional taxidermy collection, featuring 150 animals from around the world, each meticulously displayed in lifelike dioramas of their natural habitats. However, concerns about the health risks posed by the aging animal specimens, containing toxic arsenic, led to the decision to shut down the beloved institution. Arsenic, a known carcinogen, can lead to severe health complications, including cancer and even death. The closure announcement by Sioux Falls and Great Plains Zoo officials sparked a backlash from residents who cherished their memories of visiting the taxidermy collection. Some believe the city is not transparent about the risk, while others suspect a hidden agenda to make room for newer attractions. Conservationists across the country worry that this closure could set a concerning precedent regarding the safety of antique collections. Fran Ritchie, chair of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections' conservation committee, noted that this situation exacerbates existing concerns in the natural history museum community. Arsenic's presence is not uncommon in antique artifacts, primarily due to its use in green pigments for various purposes, even as a cosmetic in the Victorian era. In taxidermy, inorganic arsenic "soap" was once used as an embalming agent before the 1980s, applied to the animal skin's interior to deter pests. This method created lifelike mounts, not stuffed animals, according to John Janelli, former president of the National Taxidermy Association. The Delbridge Museum's collection, procured between the 1940s and 1970s by Henry Brockhouse and mounted by the renowned Jonas family, was a cherished educational resource. Many of the species in the collection are now protected, making replication impossible. Taxidermy provides a unique opportunity to experience animals up close, unlike anything else. However, concerns about the aging mounts and their arsenic content arose. An appraisal found that 45 percent of the collection exhibited wear and tear, while a chemical analysis showed that 79.5 percent of the mounts contained arsenic. The risk of exposure depends on various factors, including route (ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact), making it essential to conduct an in-depth exposure assessment. The cost of addressing these risks is substantial, with estimates reaching up to $4.2 million for glass enclosures and ventilation system upgrades, or up to $14 million for a new building. The emotional attachment of Sioux Falls residents to the collection was evident at city council meetings, with many expressing their desire to preserve these cherished "works of art." Mayor Paul TenHaken assured the public that the city would not simply discard the collection, acknowledging its cultural and historical significance. A new work group has been formed to explore options for the taxidermy collection's future, but navigating federal and state laws regarding protected species poses a complex challenge. Sioux Falls residents are determined to find a solution. Some have proposed hiring an independent conservator to assess the situation, while others dream of repurposing the former West Sioux Hardware building, which currently functions as a warehouse, to house the collection once again. As the city grapples with the legacy of arsenic and its impact on the Delbridge Museum, the future of these beloved animals remains uncertain but firmly etched in the hearts of the community.
출처 : 스피쿠스
기사 요약
사우스다코타주 수 폴스에 위치한 델브리지 자연사 박물관은 방대한 동물 박제 컬렉션으로 커뮤니티의 중심이 되어왔습니다. 하지만, 이 소중한 기관은 동물 표본에 존재하는 비소로 인한 건강상의 우려로 폐쇄될 위기에 처해 있습니다. 이 기사는 상황의 복잡성을 탐구하며, 커뮤니티와 자연사 컬렉션에 대한 광범위한 영향을 살펴봅니다.
비소의 딜레마
델브리지 박물관의 문을 닫게 된 결정은 박제 컬렉션에서 비소가 발견되었기 때문입니다. 원래 보존제로 사용되던 비소는 알려진 발암 물질로, 현재 심각한 건강 위험을 초래합니다. 컬렉션의 상당 부분에 이 독성 물질이 포함되어 있다는 사실이 밝혀지면서 주민들과 환경보호론자들 사이에 논란과 우려를 일으키고 있습니다. 문제는 이러한 역사적인 작품들을 보존하면서도 공중 안전을 확보하는 것에 있습니다.
커뮤니티 반응 및 보존 문제
이 발표는 수 폴스 커뮤니티로부터 강한 반응을 불러일으켰으며, 많은 이들이 박물관에 대한 소중한 추억을 간직하고 있습니다. 일부 주민들은 결정의 투명성에 의문을 제기하는 반면, 다른 이들은 문화적 랜드마크의 손실을 두려워합니다. 전국의 보존론자들도 유해 물질을 포함한 골동품 컬렉션을 다루는 데 있어 이 상황이 선례를 제시할 수 있다는 점을 주시하고 있습니다.
재정적 및 법적 복잡성
건강 위험을 해결하는 것은 비용이 많이 드는 업그레이드나 이전을 통해 이루어져야 합니다. 또한 컬렉션에 포함된 보호종에 대한 법적 복잡성을 탐색하는 것은 또 다른 어려움을 추가합니다. 컬렉션의 미래 가능성을 탐구하기 위해 도시가 새로운 작업 그룹을 구성한 것은 공중 보건과 이러한 전시물의 문화적 가치를 모두 존중하는 해결책을 찾기 위한 한 걸음입니다.
결론
델브리지 박물관의 곤경은 많은 역사적 컬렉션들이 직면하고 있는 중요한 문제를 강조합니다: 과거를 보존하는 동시에 현재를 보호하는 방법. 커뮤니티가 박물관의 박제 컬렉션에 강한 연결을 느끼는 것은 그것이 문화적, 교육적 자원으로서의 중요성을 반영합니다. 수 폴스가 이러한 도전과제에 맞서 싸우는 동안, 델브리지 박물관의 표본들의 운명은 유산과 건강 사이의 미묘한 균형의 상징으로 남아있습니다.
단어학습
- Taxidermy (탈피학): The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals with lifelike effect.
- Example: The taxidermy collection at the museum was admired for its realistic depiction of animals.
- Carcinogen (발암 물질): A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
- Example: Arsenic, a known carcinogen, was found in the museum's specimens, leading to health concerns.
- Preservation (보존): The action of preserving something, in this context, historical or natural artifacts.
- Example: Efforts for the preservation of the museum's collection are underway despite the challenges.
- Specimen (표본): An individual animal, plant, piece of a mineral, etc., used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.
- Example: Each specimen in the collection has its own unique story and scientific value.
- Conservationist (환경 보호주의자): A person who advocates or acts for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife.
- Example: Conservationists are concerned about the potential impact of the museum's closure on other historical collections.
영어표현
- Predicament (곤경, 난처한 상황): 어려운 상황이나 문제를 설명할 때 사용되는 표현입니다. 이 단어는 복잡하거나 해결하기 어려운 문제상황을 나타내는 데 적합합니다.
- 예문: "The company found itself in a financial predicament after the sudden market downturn."
- Elicited a strong response (강한 반응을 불러일으키다): 어떤 사건이나 발표가 사람들의 강한 반응을 유발했다는 것을 나타내는 표현입니다. 주로 감정적, 사회적, 정치적 반응을 강조할 때 사용됩니다.
- 예문: "The government's new policy elicited a strong response from the public, leading to widespread protests."