<div dir="ltr">I work in South Africa as a consulting conservator on a pretty regular basis (Rock Art Research Institute (<span class="" id=":2j0.1" tabindex="-1">RARI</span>), Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, since 2000) and sadly, I am very familiar with"super wood". It is basically the worst version of <span class="" id=":2j0.2" tabindex="-1">MDF</span> (medium-density fiberboard) you can imagine. It is stuffed with various solvents, resins and other chemicals that off-gas for forever. We have tried to ban its use at <span class="" id=":2j0.3" tabindex="-1">RARI</span> (in our archives and collections facilities) and while we have not been 100% successful, we have managed to get rid of most of it.<div><br></div><div>It is used for all the reasons that are obvious - it is cheap, easy to obtain, easy to fabricate with, appears to be very strong, although heavier than all heck. Another problem I suspect exists is that it's formulation is not standardized and certainly varies across manufacturers. This opinion is based purely on empirical observation (i.e. smell testing), as I have not been able to obtain hard data on the composition of the stuff. What I also know is that "super-wood". varnished back in 2002-<span class="" id=":2j0.4" tabindex="-1">ish</span>, is still giving off strong odours to this day.</div><div><br></div><div>It is imperative that this stuff not be used near collections. Knowing that this is pretty much impossible to accomplish in South Africa, it is even more important that it be sealed with multiple coats of low <span class="" id=":2j0.6" tabindex="-1">VOC</span> varnishes and/or paints. I would also recommend using a barrier, such as <span class="" id=":2j0.8" tabindex="-1">Marvelseal</span>, but I suspect it is hideously expensive in South Africa (as it would be imported), if you can get it at all.</div><div><br></div><div>You might like to take a look at this online published poster on sealing <span class="" id=":2j0.9" tabindex="-1">MDF</span> (see link below). Also, searching the conservation literature substituting "<span class="" id=":2j0.11" tabindex="-1">MDF</span>" for "super-wood" in the search string might be helpful.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.conservation-2Dus.org_docs_default-2Dsource_annualmeeting_2015am-5Fposter-5F6.pdf-3Fsfvrsn-3D2&d=AwMFaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=hL4Qn8QciQLMvEB3zObkHScuMCZI0g6aBli4mGhA0m4&s=8WqWEWuyZtCyga6NKLoX9pTcKLA3aVGgu-feNV-YQ34&e=">http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/<span class="" id=":2j0.12" tabindex="-1">annualmeeting</span>/2015am_poster_6.<span class="" id=":2j0.13" tabindex="-1">pdf</span>?<span class="" id=":2j0.14" tabindex="-1">sfvrsn</span>=2</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Best wishes,<br>
<div> </div>
<div>Claire</div>
<div> </div>
<div><br clear="all">J. Claire Dean<br></div><div>Conservator</div><div><br></div>
<div>Dean & Associates Conservation Services</div><div>3438 NE 62nd Avenue</div><div>Portland, Oregon 97213</div><div>USA</div>
<div>Tel: <a href="tel:503-331-1972" value="+15033311972" target="_blank">503-331-1972</a></div><div>E-mail: <a href="mailto:jclairedean@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span class="" id=":2j0.15" tabindex="-1">jclairedean</span>@gmail.com</a> </div>
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</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 7:45 AM, Anderson, Gretchen <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:AndersonG@carnegiemnh.org" target="_blank">AndersonG@carnegiemnh.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Dr. Fourie, <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">I am not sure what “super wood” is. Is this a wood product that has been laminated or processed like plywood or high density wood boards (ground up wood that has been adhered together. Or is it a plank of wood?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Wood never completely off-gasses. Some woods off-gas more strongly than others, with more acidic vapors. Wood products, such as ply wood, have adhesives in them which also off-gas – the severity of which is
dependent on which adhesives are being used. Then there is the “varnish” or coating. The type of varnish will determine how much of a barrier it is for the wood off-gas. And some varnishes (or paints) take longer to cure than others. Some are more damaging
to both the staff and to the objects. This is due to their chemical make-up.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d">Are these cabinets newly made or are they older and being reused for your purpose?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d">Gretchen Anderson<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d">Conservator<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d">Carnegie Museum of Natural History<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d"><a href="mailto:AndersonG@CarnegieMNH.Org" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0563c1">AndersonG@CarnegieMNH.Org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Lucida Calligraphy";color:#1f497d"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__carnegiemnh.org_&d=AwMFaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=hL4Qn8QciQLMvEB3zObkHScuMCZI0g6aBli4mGhA0m4&s=XKSMR0nTrtaPBK45Ad-RvpOXOU5ep9Z9DY3AUA8t1O0&e=" target="_blank">http://carnegiemnh.org/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Heidi Fourie<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 07, 2016 2:02 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" target="_blank">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Nhcoll-l] Vault - off gassing<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">The museum (DNMNH) have a fire-proof vault that houses one of the palaeontology collections. The section recently purchased custom-made wooden cabinets. These have drawers and shelves with glass doors. The material used
is super wood that has been varnished. The vault does not have a ventilation system and the collection manager has noticed that during the times that the door is closed an odour builds up. Once the door has been opened for a while and the room ventilated with
a fan, the smell disappears. The off-gassing caused some eye irritation and the question is, is it bad for one’s health, is the smell from the varnish used on the cabinets and what is the solution? Will the gas reacts with the Paraloid or Glyptal?<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">Thanks in advance, kind regards. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">Dr H. Fourie<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">Karoo Palaeontology Section<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">Department of Vertebrates<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">Ditsong: National Museum of Natural History<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA">012 0000040<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-ZA"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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