[NHCOLL-L:2224] RE: Fw: Storage

[Robert Waller]

Dear Dr H. Fourie,
It is impossible to say without much more information.  I don't just say
that as a stock response.  The decision to change any storage hardware
requires a review of the costs, risks and benefits of the change in both the
short term and the long term.  The seriousness of the acid vapour release
from wooden containers will depend on many factors including:
air-tightness of cabinets,
species of wood,
age of wood (since last cutting),
finish on wood, presence and type,
ratio of wood surface to volume of air,
relative humidity levels,
temperature levels,
light levels,
composition of fossils (calcareous components),
presence, if any, of soluble salts on fossils
consistency of the consolidant coating,
All of these factors in combination will determine the expected effect of
wood-released vapours on the collection.  The effect of wood-released
vapours may not be the most important consideration in evaluating the
overall risks involved in the change, let alone considering costs and
benefits.  It can be done, but it defies a quick answer.
Rob
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Dr H. Fourie [mailto:hfourie at nfi.co.za] 
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:06 AM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2222] Fw: Storage
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dr H. Fourie <mailto:hfourie at nfi.co.za>  
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu <mailto:NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu>  
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10:08 AM
Subject: Storage
 
Wood versus archival material boxes:
A year ago I went through a lengthy exercise to replace painted wooden boxes
in our fossil type room with polypropylene containers.  To provide support
and stability I used polyethylene foam sheets inside the containers.  One of
the products I used is called Correx (a plastic corrugated box).  No lids
are necessary as these are stored on glass shelves in closable cupboards.
Now these containers are going to be replaced with wood.  I was under the
impression that even natural wood emits gases such as acetic and formic
acids detrimental to Glyptal covered specimens.
My question: Is this a good idea.  Never mind the additional R 8000-00 they
intend to spend.
 
Dr H. Fourie
Research: Vertebrate Palaeontology,
Transvaal Museum, Pretoria
South Africa
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