Polyurethane does off-gas. Metal shelves are best. If you are stuck with
the wood, consider marvelseal. It can cover the shelves almost completely
or use mylar between objects and shelves.

Elizabeth Walton

At 01:50 PM 3/26/02 -0500, you wrote:
>We're renovating a room to become a framed and unframed painting and works
>on paper storage area, and are planning built-in shelves.  To combat the
>wood from the shelving offgassing into the room, we were considering several
>layers of polyurethane to seal the wood, but I have found some contradictory
>information as to whether polyurethane itself deteriorates over time and
>offgasses, or if it's stable.  Could somebody please let me know if it's
>safe to use?
>
>Genevieve Ellerbee
>Associate Registrar
>Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
>Washington, D.C.
>
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