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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Hi Kim,
We ran into this situation for many years in Boston. We started with
walnut shells until visitors commented about allergies. Signs only seem to
heighten the problem. We then switched to apricot pits, but we couldn't be
guaranteed that they were apricots and not walnuts. We then switched to an
artificial mulch, but that left a black rubber mess everywhere. We finally
switched to ground up corn cobs that are non-allergenic and that solved a
lot of problems. This product is available through sand blasting companies
as well as certain pet supply companies. Good Luck.

Dan MacDonald



On 6/28/12 2:19 PM, "Kim Hunter" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>**************************************************************************
>***
>
>As many museums and science centers have done, we have been using walnut
>shells in our fossil dig pits.  However, it has come to our attention
>that there could be issues regarding walnut shell allergies. Has anyone
>encountered any issues using walnut shells?  If so, did you discontinue
>using them - what did you replace with?   Or did you continue to use
>them and posted signs warning of possible reactions?
>
> 
>
>--Kim
>
> 
>
>Kim Hunter
>
>Senior Director, Exhibit Development
>
>Orlando Science Center
>
>407/514-2061
>
>[log in to unmask]
>
> 
>
>Inspire Science Learning for Life
>
> 
>
>
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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