Dichlorvos is a pesticide commonly used in museums to protect specimens and collections. It is an organo-phosphate available in liquid preparations as well as in pest control products, e.g., pest strips. Common names include DDVP and Vapona. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists have set exposure limits for dichlorvos at 1 mg/cubic meter averaged over an 8-hour work shift. However, the National Toxicology program has since published a report that firmly establishes the carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of dichlorvos. Consequently, the Center for Safety in the Arts recommends against conservators and museum workers using dichlorvos since there is no safe level of exposure to carcinogens. Other health hazards from exposure to dichlorvos include adverse liver effects and nervous system intoxication, mutations, nervous system damage, and personality changes such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. -- AATA