Preventative Bibliography

This bibliography was initially prepared in May 2002 by Bruno Pouliot, with the collaboration and assistance of Linda Lennon, Winterthur Class of 1997, who then served as Assistant Conservator on different projects at Winterthur Museum and for WUDPAC. Responsibility for the bibliography was passed to Dr. Joelle Wickens in 2009. It is constantly updated and your suggestions for new sources are welcome. Resources can be filtered by the following topics: Collections Care, General Reference, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Environmental Management, Housing, Storage, and Display, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Light, Mold, Packing and Transport, Pollutants, Relative Humidity and Temperature, Surveys and Assessments, and Sustainability.

Vapor barrier films.

Burke, J.
1992 – WAAC Newsletter. 14 (2): 13-17.

Burke, J. 1992. Vapor barrier films. WAAC Newsletter. 14 (2): 13-17.

Filter(s): Pollutants

A collection of ceramics damaged by acetate salts: conservation and investigation into the causes. ICOM Committee for Conservation Preprints, 14th Triennial Meeting, The Hague.

Halsberghe, L., L.T. Gibson, and D. Erhardt.
2005 – Paris: ICOM. I:131-138.

This article is particularly interesting as it discusses a not well known phenomenon, where acetic acid vapors from storage cabinets caused complex acetate salts to develop on ceramics, and caused damage. The study demonstrated how this phenomenon occurs and ceramics containing calcium carbonate and already contaminated with salts are susceptible to it.

Halsberghe, L., L.T. Gibson, and D. Erhardt. 2005. A collection of ceramics damaged by acetate salts: conservation and investigation into the causes. ICOM Committee for Conservation Preprints, 14th Triennial Meeting, The Hague. Paris: ICOM. I:131-138.

Filter(s): Pollutants

Pollutants in the Museum Environment – Practical Strategies for Problem Solving in Design, Exhibition and Storage.

Hatchfield, P.
2002 – London: Archetype Publications.

The publication on pollutants in the museum environment, discusses their sources, how they can harm works of art, and what to do about it. It is aimed at people who care for cultural artifacts: conservators, collections care specialists, curators, collectors and registrars, and is also useful for those who make decisions concerning building materials, furnishings, ventilation, cleaning and maintenance operations: designers, architects, engineers, managers, carpenters and painters.

Hatchfield, P. 2002. Pollutants in the Museum Environment – Practical Strategies for Problem Solving in Design, Exhibition and Storage. London: Archetype Publications.

Filter(s): Pollutants

The use of A-D strips for screening conservation and exhibit materials. AIC Abstracts, American Institute for Conservation 24th Annual Meeting, Norfolk.

Nicholson, C. and E. O’Loughlin.
1996 – Washington, D.C.: AIC. 118.

Nicholson, C. and E. O’Loughlin. 1996. The use of A-D strips for screening conservation and exhibit materials. AIC Abstracts, American Institute for Conservation 24th Annual Meeting, Norfolk. Washington, D.C.: AIC. 118.

Filter(s): Pollutants

Practical applications of reactivity monitoring in museums and galleries. In Conservation Science 2002: Papers from the Conference Held in Edinburgh, Scotland, 22-24 May 2002. Eds. J.H. Townsend, K. Eremin, and A. Adriaens.

Muller, C.
2003 – London: Archetype Publications.

This article describes a promising approach to gauge the destructive power of the environment, not by direct gas monitoring, but instead by reactivity monitoring. This provides a framework that museums can work with to achieve an environment more conducive to long-term preservation and minimizing the impact of gaseous pollutants. Many examples of reactivity monitoring are presented.

Muller, C. 2003. Practical applications of reactivity monitoring in museums and galleries. In Conservation Science 2002: Papers from the Conference Held in Edinburgh, Scotland, 22-24 May 2002. Eds. J.H. Townsend, K. Eremin, and A. Adriaens. London: Archetype Publications.

Filter(s): Pollutants

The composition of museum atmospheres.

Brimblecombe, P.
1990 – Atmospheric Environment 24B (1):1-8 (Pergamon Press?)

Brimblecombe, P. 1990. The composition of museum atmospheres. Atmospheric Environment 24B (1):1-8 (Pergamon Press)

Filter(s): Pollutants