1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
  3. Research + Consulting services
  4. Range of services
  5. Testing services for pesticides in the field of art and cultural assets
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Testing services for pesticides in the field of art and cultural assets

We determine pesticides in art and cultural assets – quickly and non-destructively.

Collections and museums today still contain art and cultural assets contaminated with pesticides, which can pose a health risk if not handled correctly. We are able to determine pesticides quickly and non-destructively and work with you to develop individualised occupational health and safety measures.

Range of services

We offer the following services:

  • Assessment of the condition of items of cultural heritage in collections and repositories with respect to contamination with organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals
  • On-site screening of the items using portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF)
  • Non-destructive determination of organochlorine compounds based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
  • Determination of pesticide concentration and distribution in items
  • Determination of the emission of pesticides from individual items into the indoor air
  • Dust analyses
  • Determination of pesticides in indoor air
  • Case-specific risk analyses in conjunction with external partners
  • Development of occupational health and safety measures for handling contaminated objects

All orders are carried out by qualified specialists and treated confidentially.

Infrastructure

We are able to provide services and carry out development tasks with a high degree of proficiency using the following:

  • Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis
  • Adsorption-based passive sampler for non-destructive sampling
  • Thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TDS-GC-MS)
  • Liquid injection gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
  • Accelerated solvent extraction and micro-extraction methods for the preparation of very small sample volumes

Contact

I would be happy to provide you with further information and look forward to hearing from you:

Prof. Dr. Ingo Mayer

  • Studiengangsleiter M.Sc. Wood Technology
  • +41 32 344 03 43
  • Show e-mail

Further information

Institute for Building Materials and Biobased Products IBBM