Greetings all: I want to caution you about using vinegar or ozone generators to deal with odor problems. Acetic acid vapors emitted from the vinegar and ozone from the ozone generator will cause deterioration to paper and leather of the documents and magnetic media. Damage to museum and archival materials from acetic acid and ozone is well documented in the museum and conservation literature. Without actually seeing the materials in the vault, I can't say for sure what may be causing the odor. I would hazard a guess, however, that the odors may be caused by the deterioration of the documents and other materials inside of the vault. It is quite possible that the odor is so strong and offensive to the nearby workers because ventilation in the vault may be limited and the concentration of these off-gassing products is high. I would recommend bringing in an archives conservator to assess the conditions, determine whether there is active deterioration of the records and develop recommendations to improve the conditions in which they are housed. A multi-level resolution for the problem may be necessary. This may include housing the records in archivally appropriate materials to provide containerization; use of a HEPA filter air cleaner (not electrostatic - because electrostatic filters generate ozone) to filter the air inside of the vault, improved ventilation in the vault and neighboring areas and possibly the use of some sort of adsorbent for the odor. I'm hoping that the other conservators, especially those with more experience with municipal records, books, documents and magnetic media etc., than I will weigh in on this and offer further advice. Wendy Claire Jessup President and Conservator Wendy Jessup and Associates, Inc. 1814 N. Stafford St, Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 522-2801 FAX: (703) 522-2802 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Steffgen Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 8:27 PM Subject: Re: Stinky Vault Perhaps a good old-fashioned remedy wiill do. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is a highly effective deoderant, if you use the "live" vinegar. Unpasteurized vinegar contains odor-eating enzymes. Leaving an open container, like a bowl, of fully concentrated vinegar in the vault for about 24 hours just might do it. The very best brand I know of is Bragg's. The bottle must say "With the Mother" on it; that's the live, enzymatic stuff that will cure all that ails you. : ) Another remedy is leaving an open container of ammonia overnight for the very same effect -- to absorb or neutralize organic odors--but I'm not sure if ammonia and fragile documents mix, are you? The vinegar is your best bet. Good luck. Kim Steffgen Ellen Carrlee wrote: Hi Folks, Please forgive cross-postings. Sort of Halloween-themed! Our Juneau City Hall has a stinky old vault where old city documents are kept. Old leather-bound journals of tax rolls, city meeting notes in plastic binders, audiotapes, etc. The 10'X 15' room is all concrete with thick walls, a big heavy door...typical old bank vault. Probably dates from the late 1950s or early 60s. No carpet, just bare concrete walls and floor, some wooden shelves and some metal filing cabinets. No obvious moisture. Employees and their union complain of a strong musty "old book" smell, and attribute respiratory and eye problems to the smell in the vault. The vault is opened only briefly every day, since there are three people who work near it and complain of the odor. Attempts to air it out or find a source of obvious mold or moisture have failed, as has an attempt to put an ozone generator in the vault for a couple of weekends. They are now asking my museum for ideas. I'm checking to see if my colleagues have suggestions or had similar experiences. Thanks very much! Ellen Carrlee Curator of Collections and Exhibits Juneau-Douglas City Museum Private Objects Conservator ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).