Radiation and mold

Re: mold and microwaves

Johanna Wellheiser (see earlier postings) indicates that the literature
shows pretty conclusively that microwaves do not kill mold spores, and
probably don't kill active mold colonies (except by heating to the point
of damaging the object itself).  In addition, many objects have
unexpected metal components (e.g. particles in paper or security strips
in library books) that can cause arcing.  If you don't damage the object
you can destroy the oven.  Other things have very heat sensitive or
hygroscopic elements (e.g. thermoplastic adhesive bindings that fall
apart when microwaved).  This is never a good idea.

Karen Motylewski
Northeast Document Conservation Center
Andover, MA 01810
508-470-1010

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                   Conservation DistList Instance 8:9
                   Distributed: Friday, July 22, 1994
                        Message Id: cdl-8-9-002
                                  ***