INFS 423 Preservation of Information Resources Session 5 – Atmospheric Pollution as a factor of Deterioration Lecturer: Mr. Michael Allotey , Dept. of Information Studies Contact Information: mallotey@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2015/2016 – 2017/2018
Session Overview In session 4, I took you through the impact of light, both natural and artificial on documentary materials and how to forestall damage to documents. In this Session and still on the topic “Chemical Deterioration”, I will be introducing you to another deadly environmental agent of deterioration – atmospheric pollution which also causes damage to documents. I will take you through the types of pollution, the damages they cause and how to minimize the damages. Slide 2
Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: • Topic One: Defining Pollution • Topic Two: Gaseous Pollutants • Topic Three: Particulate Pollutants • Topic Four: Monitoring Pollution • Topic Five: Control of Pollution Slide 3
Reading List Akussah, H. (2011). Preservation of Documents. Department of Information Studies, Legon, NAB Superior Services. Gorman, G. E., & Shep, S. J. (2006). Preservation management for libraries, archives and museums. London: Facet Pub. Adcock, E.P. (2000). Principles for the care of handling of Library Materials. Washington, D.C., IFAPAC. Swartburg , S. G. (1983). “Conservation Library.” A Handbook of use and care of traditional materials. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1983. Feather, J. (2004). Managing preservation for libraries and archives: current practice and future developments. Aldershot, Hants, England, Ashgate Publishing. Slide 4
Topic One DEFINING POLLUTION Slide 5
Defining Atmospheric Pollution This refers to impurities either in gaseous form or materials which are dangerous to documentary materials. These impurities can initiate or hasten the rate of deterioration of documents. These impurities are called pollutants. There are two categories of pollutants or impurities, these are: • gaseous pollutants • particulate pollutants. Slide 6
Topic Two GASEOUS POLLUTANTS Slide 7
Gaseous Pollutants • These are toxic gases present in the atmosphere which readily hasten chemical deterioration of documents under favorable conditions. That is, in the presence of moisture and high temperatures. • Gaseous pollutants include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide. • The major source of these gases is the burning of fossil fuel. Fossil fuel includes coal, petroleum, kerosene, diesel, etc. Slide 8
Gaseous Pollutants • Air pollution can be a serious hazard to records and archives, particularly in urbanized or industrialized areas. Industrial gases, chemicals, car exhaust and other toxins generate pollution. This is to say, these gases are most prevalent in industrial and urban areas where there are factories, power stations and high concentrations of automobiles. • Ozone, another gaseous pollutant, is a strong oxidizing agent that causes sever damage to organic materials. It is generated from automobile exhaust, electronic filtering systems in some air conditioners as well as electrostatic photocopy machines. Slide 9
Effects of Gaseous Pollutants on Documents • These gases, standing on their own in their natural state are not too dangerous to organic materials but in the presence of water: – Sulphur Dioxide = Sulphuric acid – Nitrogen Dioxide = Nitric acid – Hydrogen Sulphide = Sulphuric acid – Carbon Monoxide = Carbonic acid • These acids are strong and corrosive and have a deteriorative effect on paper and other record materials. They turn paper brownish and make them brittle resulting in a final loss. Slide 10
Activity 5.1 Describe the location of a public library or archives or archives close to you. Given the activities going on around the library or archives, identify three source and types of pollution probable. Slide 11
Topic Two PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS Slide 12
Particulate Pollutants • These are impurities in the atmosphere that are not gases but particles. As particulates absorb moisture, they become sites for harmful chemical reactions. These particulates can be • dust and dirt • smoke and soot Slide 13
Particulate Pollutants • Dusts are fine particles of sand floating in the atmosphere. It is mostly concentrated in rural areas where there is high concentration of untarred roads and also, in some urban areas. It is dangerous to documents in two ways. – Firstly, they are abrasive: they settle on documents and in wiping them, they scratch the documents. – Also, they form nuclei around which water collates. Water is therefore introduced and it becomes mud and stains the document. It also results in the smudging of soluble inks. • Smoke and soot result from incomplete combustion. Smoke is not actually dangerous to documentary materials but to human health. It can cause suffocation. Soot is oily and black and can easily stain and disfigure documents. It is also difficult to remove. Slide 14
Effects of Particulate Pollutants on Documents • Particulates often contain traces of metal such as iron, which can catalyze degradation. • Over time, the particles can become imbedded in paper fibres causing them to weaken. • Dust, dirt and other particles can absorb gaseous pollutants, which then penetrate materials and promote chemical and physical deterioration. Slide 15
Topic Three MONITORING ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION Slide 16
Monitoring Pollution • This is an expensive exercise. • Monitoring involves the use of expensive equipment. Most institutions rely on national agencies for their monitoring. • In Ghana, there is the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) which serves the purpose. Slide 17
Topic Four CONTROLLING ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION Slide 18
Controlling Pollution • It is difficult to control pollution, particularly if an information centre is in an urban area, as most national or state institutions are. • Air entering information centres must be filtered, using air-treatment equipment. • Special air-conditioners could be used. • Chemicals can also be used to absorb pollutants. • Double-door chambers should be used to filter the air before air enters storage environment. • Avoid polluted areas while locating Information Centres. Slide 19
Controlling Pollution Alternative strategies for controlling the effects of pollution include: • Storing records in boxes, containers or file cabinet to keep them from dust and dirt. • Placing photocopiers in well-ventilated areas away from record storage. • Prohibiting smoking, eating or cooking near records or archives. • Dusting and cleaning regularly and thoroughly to keep dust particles at a minimum. • Storing records and archives away from engines, machinery, exhaust fans or other pollution-generating equipment. Slide 20
Assignment 5.1 A library or archives is located in a rural area where there is no means of air-conditioning facilities. In not more than ten lines, advise the librarian or archivist in charge as to how to protect his documents against pollution. Slide 21
Summary You have come to the end of Session 5. You have learned: • What atmospheric pollution is. • The types of pollution that affects documentary materials in information centers. • Damages caused by pollution • How to monitor pollution, and • How to control pollution Slide 22
References Akussah, H. (2011). Preservation of Documents. Department of Information Studies, Legon, NAB Superior Services. Gorman, G. E., & Shep, S. J. (2006). Preservation management for libraries, archives and museums. London: Facet Pub. Slide 23
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