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Mummified Heads Trade Puts Postal Workers at Toxic Risk

8/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

UK researchers report a growing global trade in mummified remains that endangers buyers and postal workers.
Review of 128 Meta and e-commerce posts found 51.6% were heads or tsantsas, many deteriorating.
Sellers give no safety guidance, ship toxic remains through postal services and display them without protective cases, exposing staff to arsenic, mercury, lead, fungal spores and aspergillosis risk, Professor Kirsty Squires says.

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Story summary

UK researchers report a growing global trade in mummified remains that endangers buyers and postal workers.
Review of 128 Meta and e-commerce posts found 51.6% were heads or tsantsas, many deteriorating.
Sellers give no safety guidance, ship toxic remains through postal services and display them without protective cases, exposing staff to arsenic, mercury, lead, fungal spores and aspergillosis risk, Professor Kirsty Squires says.