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Results: Acid-free Query



The following is a summary of the results from my query concerning acid-free
materials available to the general public in stores.  Thank you to all who
provided insight on this topic.

1. Purchase the materials and test them with the pH testing pen.
2. Encourage long-term storage in proper archival materials and provide
contact information and/or catalogs from archival supply companies.  Keep in
mind that some people may want to use inexpensive, non- acid-free materials
for short-term special projects (family gatherings, etc.).
3. Question any products that do not list specifications like buffers, pH,
type of plastic, lignin content, additives used, etc.  Beware of products
that were made with low quality materials as they may be acid-free now but
will deteriorate over time.
4. Beware of paper wrapped boxes and albums advertised as acid-free.  These
consist of cores made of ground wood (chipboard) which are lined with
acid-free paper.  Acid migration occurs fairly rapidly and the material is
no longer acid-free
5. Try contacting the manufacturer (good luck!).
6. University Products has a catalog for private collectors.
7. Polyethylene instead of vinyl products.
8. Avoid products missing the "PAT" statement.  PAT is an ANSI/ISO test for
photographic archival materials administered by the Image Permanence
Institute which tests materials for chemical reactivity with photographic
materials.  Be aware that the test may not cover every component of the
materials - during manufacturing other things may be added.
9. Encourage people to try to store their materials in proper environmental
conditions.


Suggested web sites:

Conservation DistList -
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/

IPI - www.rit.edu/~661www1/sub_pages/frameset2.html

LOC Preservation Supply Catalog - http://lcweb.loc.gov/preserv/supply/

NARA Research and Testing Laboratory -
www.nara.gov/arch/techinfo/preserva/products.html

NEDCC - www.nedcc.org/

Conservation Online - http://palimpsest.stanford.edu

SCMRE - http://www.si.edu/scmre/geninfo.html

NSCC - http://www.collectioncare.org/cci/cci.html


Susan M. Smith
Archivist
Minnetrista Cultural Center
SSmith@mcc.mccoak.org

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