Based upon my limited knowledge, it sounds like the sleeves are the
problem. They should be at least isolated from other sensitive materials,
or thrown away if that is possible. Once vinegar syndrome begins,
observation indicates that it accelerates, so time is of the essence.
Gaseous acetic acid is being released, so this is not good for paper, textiles
and other sensitive materials anywhere near the plastic. I don't know
about health hazards, but it would be the same as for acetic acid I would
imagine. While it is an acid, it is also the main constituent of vinegar,
which is edible.
The Image Permanence Institute states that "fresh acetate film stored at a
temperature of 65° F and 50% relative humidity will last approximately 50 years
before the onset of vinegar syndrome. However, reducing the temperature 15°,
while keeping the humidity at the same level, delays the first signs by 150
years. They seem to indicate that it is inevitable and can only be slowed,
thus the recommendation for refrigerated storage of film collections. I
know your ambient conditions in FL are much warmer than 65 degrees, so it is not
surprising that you have the syndrome.
The backing paper on which the photos are mounted also is a concern, as it
is likely to be very acidic in its own right, independent of the acidic
acid generation from the sleeves. It would be best to eventually remove
the photos from the backing. Of course, all of these suggestions assume
that the historic integrity of the albums as a unit are appropriately
addressed. However, an intact but degraded and unusable album is not a
better alternative than appropriately documented stabilized photos formerly in
an album.
Marc
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4
Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT
06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments &
Surveys
*Low-Tech Environmental Control
*Moisture Management
Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Collections Care Grant
Preparation
*Conservation Treatment of:
Furniture
Painted Wood
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Architectural Interiors
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art
Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief
Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:35
AM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Speaking of plastics
(was: artifact bag thickness)
We have several
large binder / photo albums, the pages of which are plastic sleeves with
black album stock and photos glued on. The albums were assembled in the
mid-1903s, possibly later and suffer from Vinegar Syndrome. Since there are
no negatives it must be the plastic sleeves, which I assume then to be some
type of cellulose acetate.
Questions:
How urgent is it to
disassemble the albums, or at least to get rid of the plastic
sleeves?
Do the gasses
effect other materials in the vicinity, whether paper-based or
negatives?
Are there any
health hazards associated with the vinegar
syndrome?
As always, thanks
for y’all’s input.
Remko
Jansonius
Vizcaya Museum and
Gardens
Miami
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