TNA documents

[Thunder]

The return of FCO 141 documents after checking for contamination (which included DDT) raises in my view big issues over other documents like the War Office bound volumes which could be similarly affected. TNA do not seem to understand that researchers could be affected and will not provide gloves. Incidentally FCO 141 are the 'Migrated Archives' that our Government denied existed until they were forced at the High Court of Justice to admit that they did exist!.


https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/abo ... rd-series/

[VALLMO9]

TNA do not seem to understand that researchers could be affected and will not provide gloves.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/abo ... rd-series/

But the link you provided states they will provide gloves for the FCO 141 series:

"We will provide disposable Nitrile Gloves for you to wear while using the FCO 141 documents".

See also: 8. Are any other record series likely to have been treated in the same way?  

"We are not aware of any other record series being affected. However, it is possible that other items from the late nineteenth century to the 1970s may have been treated as a way to prevent documents being destroyed by insects. Whether contaminants persist on other items, and at concentrations high enough to cause concern is a topic that requires further research. It is therefore important that readers always follow proper hygiene when handling documents: avoid touching the face and wash hands before and after handling of items, especially before consuming food or liquids".

And on that note, hopefully researchers don't lick their fingers when turning pages of documents. Quite disgusting and potentially harmful.

[Thunder]

TNA do not seem to understand that researchers could be affected and will not provide gloves.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/abo ... rd-series/

But the link you provided states they will provide gloves for the FCO 141 series:

"We will provide disposable Nitrile Gloves for you to wear while using the FCO 141 documents".

See also: 8. Are any other record series likely to have been treated in the same way?  

"We are not aware of any other record series being affected. However, it is possible that other items from the late nineteenth century to the 1970s may have been treated as a way to prevent documents being destroyed by insects. Whether contaminants persist on other items, and at concentrations high enough to cause concern is a topic that requires further research. It is therefore important that readers always follow proper hygiene when handling documents: avoid touching the face and wash hands before and after handling of items, especially before consuming food or liquids".

And on that note, hopefully researchers don't lick their fingers when turning pages of documents. Quite disgusting and potentially harmful.

TNA won't provide gloves for other records and the washing facilities are on the other side of the reading rooms and you have to use your reader's ticket to get out of the reading rooms. I totally agree on anyone wanting to lick the documents, you don't know what the documents have in them and some have photocopying ink which has never been set on the page and would disappear if you touch them.