Silica gel and adsorbed pollutants

I was wondering if anyone on the DistList has had any experience
with silica gels carrying pollutants from one installation to
another?

In the case of desiccating silica gel that can be reconditioned by
heating, I would assume that any adsorbed pollutants would be driven
off with the moisture.  Can anyone confirm or refute this?

Then there is the case of Arten and Artsorb buffering gels.  Do
these materials readily adsorb pollutants?  If so, how can these
pollutants be desorbed?

Will Jeffers
Collections Care Specialist
Department of Scientific Research
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:88
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 18, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-88-009
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