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Preserving your family history records 2

When properly processed and stored, all paper products are both stable and permanent.
Environmental
• excessive humidity and extremes in temperature
Controlled humidity and temperature would help prevent curling, mould and fungus growth, foxing of photographs (blotchy, reddish-brown stains on prints or mounts), negatives sticking to containers or each other and photos sticking to glass frames.
• air contamination
High pollution also exists in areas where paints, printing inks, lacquers, enamels, varnishes and cosmetics are being used. Near the seacoast, air borne salts accelerate chemical degradation and encourages the growth of micro-organisms.
Chemical degradation
The acid content will cause papers to yellow and become brittle. Photographs will turn a yellowish-brown, fade or darken with inadequate processing techniques. There is little you can do to address these in-built problems—scan such photographs and/or use quality photocopying.
Physical damage
This form is most prevalent in papers and photographs that have been poorly stored creating holes, scratches and spots that are caused from the abrasion of one material against another. Brittle matte board or photographs can snap and create losses in the image area. Glass plates when not handled properly can chip or break. Water can destroy a photograph. Folds in paper weaken the internal structure and are a source for significant damage. Natural light can damage photographs and paintings.
Biological deterioration
Photographic materials contain ingredients such as gelatine and cellulose in paper that are attractive to insects and rodents. Insects will actually chew away pieces of prints and even containers especially when they are moist.

Continued

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