While formaldehyde is a significant threat to collections, it is emphasized that the role of acetic acid has been underrated. The results of corrosion and efflorescence product analysis on items affected by organic carbonyl pollutants are described. The analysis of these products provides important information necessary to identify the most damaging pollutants, to appreciate which materials are most susceptible and to understand the deterioration processes. The danger posed to collections by the presence of organic carbonyl compounds in storage and display environments is addressed on the basis of the observed damage to artifacts and pollution monitoring studies in Europe involving several major British and Dutch collections. Discussion of the results of the intensive study of problems displayed by these collections is combined with information of damage in other European museums and with the results of an extensive survey of the United States involving 17 cultural institutions.
Acetic acid is the more significant cause of the deterioration in the European museums studied.
Such apparently safe products can be a real threat to susceptible collections. On the basis of these investigations there is a clear need for additional monitoring surveys associated with analyses of artifact deterioration. The importance of display and storage materials testing and the wisdom of subsequent monitoring is confirmed. A Preventive Conservation Approach, Volume I, eds. No abstract available.