refined oils, the staff has used detergents, specifically Amber Lux (Lever 

 Brothers). Efforts will be made to use this agent more extensively in large- 

 scale efforts in the future, when appropriate. Methods of cleaning that 

 combine two agents should be investigated. One example is an initial cleaning 

 in solvent or mineral oil to remove especially viscous oils, followed by 

 cleaning in a dilute detergent solution to remove the solvent or mineral oil. 



Although solvent is an excellent cleaner, it does have the disadvantages 

 of being flammable and toxic to both birds and people through inhalation and 

 skin contact. Workers engaged in cleaning must therefore wear plastic protective 

 gowns and gloves and organic vapor filtering respirators. In addition, fire 

 safety measures, such as fire extinguishers and the removal of spark and flame 

 hazards, are required and careful monitoring of solvent temperature is necessary. 



In preparation for cleaning, the solvent is heated to 27 to 32 C (80 to 

 90 F). (The flash point of Shell Solvent 70 is 40 C or 104 F.) Two or three 

 dishwashing basins are then filled with about 4 inches (10.1 cm) of warm 

 solvent. The bird is dipped in the first basin and the solvent is squeezed 

 into the plumage, working with the lie of the feathers, to loosen the oil. 

 After 30 sec or so, the bird is lifted from the first basin, excess solvent 

 is pressed from its feathers, and it is placed in the next basin. After 

 three or so such baths, most of the oil has been loosened or removed by the 

 solvent, and the bird is then thoroughly rinsed with warm solvent pumped by an 

 explosion-proof pump through small nozzles. Because of solvent toxicity, the 

 cleaning process is limited to only 5 or 6 min, after which the bird is dried 

 with towels and taken to be completely dried with a hot air blower. 



The procedure used to clean birds with detergent is somewhat similar 

 to the process involving solvent. Detergents have the advantage of being 

 relatively non-toxic and safe to use. For these reasons, detergents are used 

 to remove more highly refined, toxic oils, and is used for smaller birds, 

 which are more highly affected by toxins absorbed through the skin because 

 of their larger surface/volume ratio. 



The most effective brand and the concentration of detergent used depend 

 on the type and "age" of oil encountered. The effectiveness of different 

 detergent solutions should be tested on the plumage of dead, oiled birds. 

 Cleaning with detergent also requires large quantities of hot water—with a 

 temperature of 35 to 46 C (85 to 115 F) --which can be provided by a large 

 tank or coil-type continuous-demand water heater. As in the case of cleaning 

 with solvents, the birds are dipped and then cleaned in several successive 

 basins of hot cleaning solution. After they are cleaned, the birds are rinsed 

 thoroughly with a hot water spray until their feathers begin to resist wetting. 



After being cleaned, the birds are dried thoroughly with hot air, in 

 a drier that the Center designed to dry eight birds at at time with a minimum 

 of handling. Pet grooming driers can also be used to dry individual birds. 

 Prior to being dried, the bird is tube-fed hydrating solution, and its feet 

 are protected from excessive heat with A & D Ointment and cloth wraps. It 

 is then dried for 25 to 35 min, until all feathers including the down and 

 those under the wings are completely dry. Thorough drying not only prevents 



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