Mold

Sharlane Gubkin <sxg7<-at->case<.>edu> writes

>Does anyone know if there is any preservation literature on the
>actual process of how to inspect gift books to rule out the presence
>of bugs or mold?
>...
>...  How does one determine with
>certainty if an infestation is no longer active and poses no danger
>to add to the collections?

The only way to determine with certainty that there is no live
infestation is to carry out an eradication treatment, whether by
freezing, warm air treatment, fumigation or anoxia.  If you can't
afford this then other than and as well as, physically examining
every item as you have done in the past, the next best thing is to
quarantine the collection for two to three months at room
temperature, 16-24 deg. C.  The collection should be kept away from
other collection items during this time, and ideally sealed in
polythene.  This should allow any live insects to develop and
emerge. You should then be able to spot the insects which should be
contained within the polythene, and/or telltale frass around the
items.

Tracey Seddon
Senior Organics Conservator
National Museums Liverpool
+44 151 478 4843
Fax: +44 151 478 4990


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:24
                 Distributed: Monday, December 9, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-27-24-003
                                  ***