Insects | Water Damage | Mold | Foxing
Brittle Books | Brittle Paper/ Oversewn Binding | Acidic Paper | Acid Migration
Different Papers | Fading | Window Filters | Red Rot
BACK TO INDEX
| MOLD | What we call mold actually refers to fungi which are commonly seen on books and paper. Their spores are everywhere, either dormant or active. Mold will grow when the surrounding conditions supply it with food and moisture. This is usually the case when the relative humidity is above 50%, though many species of mold will grow at an even lower relative humidity, especially if it is dark and there is no ventilation. A prolonged period of a relative humidity above 70 % at a temperature of 80� will almost inevitably lead to mold growth. Many fungi contain colored substances, as readily seen on these examples. Even after cleaning and disinfecting the area, a visible stain will remain. The paper will be structurally weakened and will need to be reinforced to prevent further damage through handling. Exposure to mold can be a serious health threat to people who are allergic to it, or may even sensitize a person not prone to allergies. It is therefore extremely important to prevent any kind of mold outbreak in the Library by maintaining the proper temperature and relative humidity, and by isolating any books which display mold growth. At Bobst, any moldy book is immediately placed into a zip-lock bag and brought to the Conservation Lab for treatment |
