The Impact of European Research Related to Paper Ageing on Preventive Conservation Strategies
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| ISSN: | ISSN 0034-5806 |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/res_2_02_68_76.doc |
| Abstract: | CONCLUSION. Based on the research initiatives of the last 100 years, conclusions can be drawn on the chemical course of paper ageing. An alkaline reserve, brought into the paper either as a filler during production or as a result of a conservation treatment, will protect the paper against acidic contaminants such as those present in outdoor air. Not all types of commercially available alkaline papers, however, show the same durability. Unfortunately not all standards developed to define paper quality are in accordance with our current knowledge of paper ageing and durability. A new understanding is that nitrogen oxide stimulates the uptake of sulphur dioxide and that this combination will stimulate the deterioration of paper. Another is that moisture plays an important role in paper ageing, at least if acid air pollutants are present. This is especially true for sulphur dioxide. Deacidification of acid paper can be seen as a positive action. However, not all commercial methods necessarily result in better durability of the paper. Also, the application of certain methods can have unwanted side-effects as a consequence of organic compound emission. There is still a need for applied and basic research on paper ageing and test methods for determining its stability. Relevant suggestions are to be expected, from, for example, the ASTM Research programme; they are, however, based on tests with blank modern paper. Old paper documents , as they are stored in archives, libraries and museums may behave differently. Thus, the need for new innovative conservation methods is still great. SUMMARIES. The ageing of paper and cellulose has been studied for the last hundred years. The aim is not only to understand the mechanism of degradation, but also to develop methods to stop or at least slow it down in order to save paper based cultural heritage worldwide. Four large scale research programmes have to be acknowledged for their input of new initiatives: The Swedish Research Programme on Paper Conservation (FoU Projected for Papperconservening), the Dutch Programme on the Effects of Air Pollutants (ACBAM), the European Project on the Effects of Pollutants on the Accelerated Ageing of paper (EU-STEP) and the US ASTM Programme on Ageing of Printing and Writing Paper. Research related to paper ageing often results in establishing new actions of preservation by the end-users, i.e. archives, libraries and museums. It also stimulates the development and application of new analytical tools. |
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| ISSN: | ISSN 0034-5806 |
