Debbie, It seems to be the most direct solution would be to discourage the rock doves (pigeons) from roosting on the stack. If there is just the one perchloric stack on the building that is the primary issue, it may not be too difficult to modify the stack lip to make it less favorable as a roost without compromising the necessary discharge parameters of the exhaust. The city of San Francisco recently convinced a very large number of rock doves downtown to relocate by hiring the services of some falconers. This approach might bring a bit more excitement to campus than you would prefer. Owl decoys can be effective in discouraging rock doves, but they require periodic repositioning to remain effective. Good luck! Dan --------------------------------- Dan Blunk PhD, REA 831.459.3541 blunk**At_Symbol_Here**ucsc.edu Environmental Programs Manager Environmental Health & Safety Office University of California Santa Cruz -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Debbie Decker Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:52 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pigeon Droppings and Perchloric Acid hood Here's one for ya: It seems that pigeons, a bird of very little brain, have taken to roosting on the exhaust stack for the perchloric acid hood in the plant sciences building. They sometimes roost on other stacks but they seem to prefer the perchloric hood. This is a dedicated exhaust for the hood and when the hood is washed down, well, you can guess what ends up splattered into the fume "cupboard." Do I need to worry about potentially explosive pigeon guano? Should we have users washdown the hood before use as well as after? What about exposure to pigeon diseases? I don't think there's anything I can do to discourage roosting but I'm open to those ideas, too. Thanks for your help, Debbie Debbie M. Decker, Health and Safety Specialist Environmental Health and Safety University of California, Davis 1 Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95616 (530)754-7964/(530)752-4527 (FAX) dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu Co-Conspirator to Make the World A Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy
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