Wax

Regarding Craig Deller's inquiry, we have seen white deposits on
objects containing beeswax and it has never been mold or the
bi-products of microorganisms.  White crystals of stearates will
form on surface as a result of unstable fatty acid in the wax, which
exudes to the surface due to heat and temperature changes.  They
will readily dissolve in certain organic solvents (petroleum
distillates).  But frequently this problem is reoccurring; so it may
not have anything to do with the mothballs being present but rather
environmental changes that are occurring.  Maybe this is what has
occurred with your objects.

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:4
                   Distributed: Friday, June 28, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-10-4-003
                                  ***