Unfortunately, most people don't recognize a potential problem until severe damage has already occurred. This information is offered to help you understand the enemies of paper and the possible remedies. Although is can last for centuries if properly made and cared for, it is highly susceptible to damage by environmental conditions, insects, and people. The chief danger of excessive humidity, especially when combined with high temperatures, is the growth of mold and foxing. Mold feeds on the sizing and paper fibers, thereby weakening the sheet.
Paper naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity.
Therefore, any extreme fluctuations can cause the paper to cockle or become wavy. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight and florescent lighting cause severe problems for paper. It will fade all art mediums and many inks. The most harmful contaminant in the atmosphere is sulphur dioxide, a gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. Sulphur dioxide is absorbed by the paper and converted into sulfuric acid.