The effects of gas phase formaldehyde on selected inorganic materials found in museums

Mary F. Striegel

Abstract

Indoor air pollutants found in museums, such as acidic vapors or aldehydes released from wood or other materials, can create corrosive environments which may lead to the damage of objects. This study investigates the effects of low concentrations of formaldehyde on inorganic materials. The paper presents the results of the exposure of various materials including metals, ceramics, glass, and sea shells, to 500 parts per billion concentration of formaldehyde for 30, 60, and 90 days under ambient conditions (room temperature, 50% relative humidity). Evaluation of material surface damage includes visual determinations, color measurement, and  scanning electron microscopy. Details of exposure system design and future experiments will be discussed.

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1991 | Albuquerque | Volume 1