Contact Mary T. baker at the Conservation Analytical Laboratory of the
Smithsonian Institution <[log in to unmask]> 301-238-3700.  She is an Organic
Chemist and did successful research into the damage caused to polymers
(i.e., synthetic rubber)in NASA's space suits when immersed in
"weightless" water tanks.  She has your answer.

Timothy Vitale
Paper and Photography Conservator
and Consulting Conservator