<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Um... They can get moldy. You don't want to see it, trust me in that. Also maggots and other critters. Most are silver or brass and have a laquer over the metal. </div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><br></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">IF the horn is cleaned on a fairly regular basis, the valve "spit" is mostly condensation. Worth taking a good cleanser to the decks every once in a while anyway, but I suspect the dog turd remnants on the bottom of your shoes are a bigger bio hazard. <br><br>Kristi R-C</div><div><br>On Apr 16, 2016, at 7:18 PM, Randy Porter via Stagecraft <<a href="mailto:stagecraft@theatrical.net">stagecraft@theatrical.net</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div dir="ltr">There's probably enough copper in the raw brass inside to kill microorganisms in contact with it - that's why brass instruments don't get mold growing in them.<br><div><br></div><div>Similarly, why hospitals should have raw copper on all of their 'touch surfaces'<br></div><div><br><br clear="all">>> According to all of my brass professors in college, that's not spit, it's<br>
>> condensation. As the hot air moves through the brass tubes, the water vapor<br>
>> condenses on the walls of the tube, gathering in the low crooks, where the<br>
>> valves are used to dump it on the floor.<br>
><br>
>Yeah, I've been told that too. And if anyone believes there's no<br>
>bacteria or virii coming along for the ride out the spit valve....<br>
>well, I might have a bridge to sell you.<br>
><br>
>I'm interested in other peoples' experiences as well - one of my<br>
>colleagues also suggested a "bodily fluid" cleanup response is called<br>
>for.... (Which would be great, if custodial ever touched our stage,<br>
>but alas..... Besides, are they around each and every time there's an<br>
>impromptu brass ensemble deciding to use my stage as a practice room<br>
>because it's the only space available?)<br>
><br>
>>From what I hear, our custodial only mops the band rooms once a month<br>
>>anyway.... ugh.<br><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">What was a policeman, if not a civilian with a uniform and a badge? .... once policemen stopped being civilians the only other thing that they could be was soldiers. - Terry Pratchett<br><br><a href="http://capitalggeek.wordpress.com" target="_blank">capitalggeek.wordpress.com</a></div>
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