Re: arsclist mold

["Richard L. Hess" <arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, Marie,

I have not done extensive research on this, but I have dealt with some 
moldy tapes and in my dry, Southern California location, it has not been a 
problem. I'm not sure I would undertake the playing of these tapes with 
such abandon in the future after what I've heard in the past on this list 
and other services.

One thing that we live with is mold. It exists in our everyday lives. For 
example, for the US, CNN offers a Mold Spores forecast:

http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/allergy/mold/

When I lived in Toronto--and on subsequent visits--I believe I have had 
sinus reactions to mold (or mould as they spell it there). In fact, in some 
parts of the world, mold is a normal cohabitor.

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/allergens/mold.htm

provides some information about what to expect from mold allergies.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/mold.htm

provides some information about detecting mold in homes (and presumably 
offices).

The following is an interesting page from Harvard
http://preserve.harvard.edu/guidelines/mold.html

And from the Virginia Cooperative Extension aimed at severe agricultural 
exposure to mold
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/safety/respillness/respillness.html

All of these, and more, can be found through google.com -- I searched on 
mold spores.

These pages seemed the most interesting--I was interested because I took a 
cavalier approach to one tape which now I wish I hadn't, but I don't see 
any ill effects on me or in my home--but then in Southern California there 
is little chance of serious mold in the home--and we have air conditioning 
that further drys the air.

Anyway, good luck and be careful!

Cheers,

Richard



At 09:22 AM 10/16/2001 +1300, you wrote:
> Hello everyone
>
> I am new to this list and was interested in reading about mold and ORT's.  I
> work in tape preservation and come across mold, moreso from outside
> collections which we have accessioned due to their historical importance to
> NZ history.  One concern I have is that myself and another colleague tend to
> sneeze a lot whilst at work!  Is there a link?
>
> Regards
> Marie A. O'Connell
> Archivist - Tape Preservation
> Sound Archives/Nga Taonga Korero
> P.O.Box 1531
> Christchurch
> Ph. 03 3748443
> Fax. 03 3748448
> email: moconnell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> -
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