ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** Hi Kim-- I can offer personal experience with this issue. I was a chaperon on a school trip many years when two children with severe nut allergies reacted to walnut shells used in a hands-on exhibition. Fortunately their parent was equipped with epi-pens and they were able to buy time to get emergency care. The shells were removed from the gallery floor shortly thereafter. As the parent of a child with fatal allergies, clearly posted warnings and signage are a must--if you must. It's my feeling however, that the best course of action is to not use anything that might cause a severe reaction in the first place. What about shredded/crumbled cork? Liza Rawson On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 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 > > > > > *********************************************************************** > 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. > > The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. > To learn more, visit > http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html. > > To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the > message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to > [log in to unmask] > -- *Liza Reich Rawson Senior Exhibition Developer & Project Manager Exhibitions & Featured Experiences Liberty Science Center Liberty State Park 222 Jersey City Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07305 USA T: 201.253.1445 F: 201.451.6383* E: [log in to unmask] *********************************************************************** 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. The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]