If the "archival materials" are paper stored in a good document box,
there may be some slight damage, but I doubt that it will be much as
long as the document boxes remain closed, and the carpet/wood finish is
not one of those extreme ones that make you choke and wheeze and your
eyes swell shut. There are too many variables to be specific via email,
but if you can smell it (whatever it is), you know that it is unstable.
Be very careful with framed items. 

 

You may wish to check out Conservation OnLine at
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/.

 

Michael McColgin

Conservation Officer

Arizona State Archives

 

 

________________________________

From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Schmid, Christine
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:15 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Wood/carpet off-gassing

 

Can anyone give me specifics about the effects on archival materials of
carpet and/or wood off-gassing/out-gassing?  Lots of folks are willing
to say that volatile organic compounds in the carpet or wood will damage
paper, but not for how long after the carpet or furniture is installed.
Information about mitigation would be welcome, too.  Many thanks! 

Christine A. Schmid 
Associate Archivist 
The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of American Jewish Archives 
3101 Clifton Avenue 
Cincinnati, OH 45220 
513-221-7444 x3319 
513-221-7812 (fax) 
[log in to unmask] 
http://www.americanjewisharchives.org 

 

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A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org.
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