[BCMA] Register now! Pre-conference Workshops! XRF Certification Workshop: Detecting Pesticide Residues in Museum Collections

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

XRF Certification Workshop: Detecting Pesticide Residues in Museum Collections

Tuesday November 3rd, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Lantzville Room, Vancouver Island Conference Centre
101 Gordon St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J8

How do you know if belongings in your collection may carry hazardous pesticide residues?

Join the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and Hope La Farge (private conservator) for a small, hands-on pre-conference workshop on using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to identify elements associated with historic pesticide treatments, including arsenic, lead, and mercury.)

Participants will learn how to safely operate an XRF instrument and explore how this non-destructive technology can support safer collections care, handling, research, and repatriation work.

The workshop will include the training and examination required as part of the Natural Resources Canada XRF Analyzer Operator certification process. Successful applicants can receive five-year certification, enabling them to operate portable open-beam XRF analyzers and making eligible heritage institutions able to apply to CCI’s free XRF spectrometer loan program.

Workshop participants may attend the training and not take the exam to become certified however to become certified participants are responsible for a $245 NRCan Level 1 five-year certification fee, payable directly to NRCan. Workshop participants have 10 years after this training to take the exam.

Whether you are concerned about contaminated collections, preparing belongings for access or return, or simply want to build your organization’s capacity to identify potential hazards, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to gain practical skills - and ongoing access to an important collections-care tool.

Space is limited to just 10 participants and to conference registrants. Participants are encouraged to bring one or two items for practice testing.

Tickets are $125.00, Register here!<https://members.museum.bc.ca/public/event/details/16ba4546cd736e1cd94dccda92f5ffe17f92891e/1> <https://members.museum.bc.ca/public/event/details/16ba4546cd736e1cd94dccda92f5ffe17f92891e/1>

[cid:8b6eb068-4c86-4d0c-a5fe-29be8f3fc66a]

Lorenda Calvert
Programs Manager

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