fumigation
The process of exposing archival materials to the
vapor of a volatile substance, or with poisonous
chemicals, such as thymol, methyl bromide (CH
3 Br), chloropicrin (CCl 3
NO 2 ), carbon tetrachloride (CCl
4 ), ethylene dichloride (C
2 H 4 Cl 2 ), or
hydrogen cyanide (HCN), within a closed (and
airtight) container, in order to destroy mold
and/or insects. Room temperature is usually
sufficient to vaporize the substances used in
fumigation; however, in cases of severe or
stubborn molds. heat in the range of 40 to
50° C. will increase the concentration of
the vapor and increase its effectiveness. Where no
special equipment, e.g., air-tight chambers, is
available and the infestation is on a relatively
small scale, fumigation ma be carried out by means
of carbon disulfide (CS2) in an air-tight box.
These methods, while more or less effective, do
not confer lasting protection; therefore it may be
necessary (assuming it is possible) to fumigate
the areas in which the archival materials are
stored. See also: FUNGI . (143 , 198 ,233 )
![[CoOL]](/icons/sm_cool.gif){kind=icon}