Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 39. (1986)
Archive Buildings and the Conservation of Archival Material. An Expert Meeting, held in Vienna, Austria October 30 - November 1, 1985 - THOMAS, David: Architectural Design and Technical Equipment for the Physical Protection and Conservation of Documents
238 Archive Buildings poses particular hazards for photographs. Newly applied paint can emit peroxides in sufficient quantities to affect photographic images for up to four weeks21). Formaldehyde can also damage photographic materials. There is evidence from Denmark that homes with particle-board walls, floors and ceilings experienced unacceptably high levels of this pollutant. The use of urea-formaldehyde cavity foam insulation has resulted in similar problems in the USA22). Simple and usual methods of controlling the environment can sometimes affect archival materials. The use of desiccant dehumidifiers is often suggested; unfortunately, there is some evidence that they can create fine dust particles which can affect photographic materials. Badly maintained air-conditioning units which contain biological slime are potential sources of hydrogen sulphide; a highly reactive gas which will attack silver (used in metal point drawings, photographs, etc.,) and lead (used as a pigment)23). A number of materials used for shelving, packing or in display cases can also add to the pollution of the air. Wood, notably oak and sweet chestnut, polyvinyl acetate adhesives and composite board such as particle board or plywood can produce large quantities of weak organic acids, notably acetic acid. This can affect lead objects, drawings with lead point and photographic materials24). Bleached woods, glues and varnishes can emit harmful peroxides, while wool, rubber and composite boards can release volatile sulphides25). Fortunately, it is possible to eliminate most of the indoor sources of pollution early in the design stage of a new archive building and to control many of the others by good planning and sensible work practices. The use of urea-formaldehyde foam for cavity wall insulation and of particle boards for shelving or as part of the internal structure should be avoided to reduce the risk of formaldehyde pollution. Concrete walls and floors should be sealed to minimize the creation of particulates. Alkyd oil base paints should be avoided, or photographic material should not be moved into freshly painted rooms for at least four weeks. The use of refrigerant dehumidifiers is to be preferred to desiccant types, while air-conditioning systems should be properly maintained to avoid a build up of slime. Photocopiers should be housed in a separate, well-ventilated area, away from the records and the use of electrostatic dust precipitators should be avoided. Wood, particle board or fabrics should not be used in display cases. There are a number of materials which are safe for use with all archive materials. These include metals, glass and polymethyl methacrylate26). 21) L. H. Feldman Discoloration of Black-and-White Photographic Prints in Journal of Applied Photographic Engineering 7 (1981) 7. 22) R. A. Wadden and P. A. Scheff Indoor Air Pollution (New York 1983) 62-67. 23) International Organization for Standardization Photography-Silver image photographic paper prints for record purposes - Storage conditions (ISO 6051, 1980) (cited ISO) section 6.5 and annex B; V. Daniels Air pollution and the archivist in Journal of the Society of Archivists 6 (1979) 154-155. 24) Ibid. 156. 25) ISO 6051 section 6.3.2; Thomson The Museum Environment 148. 26) Daniels Air pollution 156.
