Potential Pesticide Contamination in Repatriated Artifacts in African Museums: The Need for the Adoption of Safety Protocols for Access and Use of Hazardous Artifacts

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article discusses the issue of potential pesticide contaminants in artifacts that are being repatriated by museums from the global north to Africa. It highlights that the issue of scientific testing of artifacts for harmful pesticide contaminants is missing from the repatriation discourse in African museums. Consequently, safety protocols for handling and use of these potentially contaminated artifacts have not been established in some African museums. This is worsened by lack of legislations that enforce the testing of the artifacts and the establishment of safety protocols for accessing them. This exposes museum staff, researchers and other visitors to health effects caused by toxic chemicals in artifacts. In light of this, the article recommends that repatriation of artefacts to African museums should be preceded by scientific testing of artifacts to determine the possible toxic pesticide contaminants on them, and to establish safety protocols for their handling and use. Further, it argues that qualified collections care staff and conservators from African museums should be involved in repatriation negotiations to enforce scientific testing of artifacts and establish safety measures for their handling and use before they are repatriated to Africa. The article also recommends that pesticide treatment information should accompany repatriated artifacts.