Remedies for biological deterioration of wood origin documentary heritage

1. Remedies for Biological
Deterioration of Wood Origin
Documentary Heritage
Dr. Utpal Das,
Dibrugarh University
utpalishaan@gmail.com

2. Control and Remedies of Micro-organism
Macro-Climate
Micro-Climate

3. a) Control of Temperature and RH:
Cause: A specific temperature 24-300 C and
relative humidity of 65% is most favourable for
the growth of micro-organism.
Measure: Keep temperature and relative
humidity at constant desirable level, respectively
at around 60 F (160C) and 50% is the key to
deter growth of microorganism.
Applications: Air conditioning, HVAC systems

4. Control of temperature
i. Use of Air Conditioner
Use of Air Conditioning system is recommended
only when it is used for 24 X 7 throughout the
year uninterruptedly with regular monitoring
and adjustment of the temperature fixed to a
desired level, i.e. around 60 F (160C).

5. ii. Use of HVAC System
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
system is a modern system designed for the need of
libraries, archives and museums. The system has
capacity to provide constant relative humidity and
moderate temperature in storage space, 24 hours a
day, 365 days in a year. Within 24 hour period the
relative humidity should not change by more than ±2%.

6. Effect of Relative Humidity on chemistry of paper
A high average humidity of almost 85% in Assam
allows chemical reactions called hydrolysis causing
chemical deterioration of writing materials. Further,
small changes in relative humidity (RH) induce
dimensional changes namely swelling, warping,
cockling, etc. and other physical distortions.

7. Effect of Relative Humidity on fungal growth
Relative humidity also has profound influence on
fungal growth on papers. The environmental
condition most suitable for the growth of fungi is
temperature between 24-300C and relative humidity
above 65%.

8. Control of Relative Humidity
a. Use of Air Conditioner:
Air conditioning is excellent for dehumidification, but
need constant monitoring for adjustment of
temperature. Moreover, the system should run 24
hours a day, 365 days in a year at a desired constant
level. There is also a need to adjust air conditioning
during summer and winter, and even at day time, and
night.

9. b) Use of dehumidifiers
For a constant high average RH region use of
dehumidifiers are necessary. The overall
climatic condition outside of a building during
winter and summer frequently changes. The
relative humidity during winter should be at
least at the level of 35-38% though not
below. For this, the temperature may be
lowered to 60 F (160C) or even below.
Likewise at summer, the level of humidity
must be at the level of 50% and not above.
This condition should prevail 24 hour a day,
every day till the summer exists.

10. c. HVAC system
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
system is the best to dehumidify storage areas and to
control relative humidity level at 50% round the year.
But, in summer and winter, monitoring and adjustment
of the HVAC system is required to keep the relative
humidity at a constant level.

11. c) Dehumidification by dehydrating chemicals
Anhydrous calcium chloride Silica gel
Amount: 2 to 3 kg of silica gel for a room of 20-25 cu
meter
Process: The requisite quantities of silica gel may be
spread in dishes and kept in different places in
the room.
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Reuse: Silica gel may get saturated and need
replacement with fresh chemical, while the
saturated silica gel may be reactivated for
further use.

13. Cleaning of MSS:
Dry Cleaning
Wet Cleaning
Some Common practices for Controlling
Biological Agents

14. 1. Dry Cleaning :
a) Periodical cleaning or dusting of MSS by soft
brash or cotton cloth swab (Dry Cleaning)
b) Periodical Sun-bath of MSS in shade

15. 2.1 Wet Cleaning by traditional agents (also Act as
Insecticides):
a) Chua Oil or Resin Oil (Lac or Resin distillate)
b) Citronella Oil
c) Lemon Grass Oil
d) Neem Extract or Oil

16. e) 2% solution of Ethyl alcohol or Toluene with water
f) 2% solution of Xylene or Trichloroethylene with water
g) 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide in distilled water
h) Diluted polyvinyl acetate emulsion
i) 2% solution of nylon dissolved in ethyl alcohol in
distilled water
j) Application of thin layer of acrylic emulsion at the
edge of Mss
2.2 Wet Cleaning using chemicals

17. 2.2 Wet cleaning or Solvent Cleaning:
Process for hydrophobic paper : 100% Ethyl Alcohol added with
5% Sodium Fluoride or
5% Thymol or
5% Paradichlorobenzine
Apply on paper with a cotton
swab
Process for hydrophilic paper: 10% Ethyl Alcohol with water
added with
5% Sodium Fluoride or
5% Thymol or
5% Paradichlorobenzine
Apply on paper with a cotton swab
:

18. 3. Use of Insect Repellents:
a) Semi dry Neem (Azadirachta Indica) leaf,
b) Semi dry Nirgandi (Vitex negundo) leaf
c) Semi dry Pudina (Mint, Mentha arvensis) leaf
d) Dry leaf of Nicotiana tabacum
e) Sandalwood (Santalum album) dust is kept in
a cotton bag into Cupboard
f) Powder of Dalsini + Kalazira + Neem seed +
Haldi + Haritaki + Blackpaper + Amla + PipliBhoira
+ Tabaco leaf + Clove + Tulsi
25gms each, mixing all together is kept in a
cotton bag into Cupboard.

19. 4. Preparation of
a) Insecticidal Paper &
b) Fungicidal Paper

20. a) Insecticidal Paper:
10% Para-dichloro-Benzene in rectified spirit
(i.e. 10gms PDCB in 100ml rectified spirit)
This solution is gently applied on the hand made
paper which will be used as a cover on the MSS or
in between mss folios as insecticides whenever
required.
This solution is not directly used on Mss folios.

21. b) Fungicidal Paper:
5% Thymol (C10H14O) in 100ml rectified spirit
This solution is gently applied on the hand made
paper which will be used as a cover on the MSS or
in between mss folios infected by fungus whenever
required.
This solution is not directly used on Mss folios
.

22. 5. Synthetic Insecticides
a) Borax Powder: for Silverfish only
b) Termiseal liquid: for Termites only. Inject
in the wall or ground
c) Baygon Bait Powder: Mix with little sugar and
keep in a plate inside
the cupboard.

23. 6. Fumigation:
a) Thymol fumigation
b) Para-dichlorobenzene and Killoptera fumigation
c) Vacuum fumigation
d) Sterilization

24. i. Thymol fumigation:
Requirements: i. An airtight fumigation chamber
ii. A 40-60 watt electric bulb
iii. Thymol (100-150 gms per cubic
meter)
iv. Infested books/manuscripts
Duration: Six to ten days for which heating
requires 2 to 4 hours every day.
Post treatment Measure: After 10 days the chamber is
opened and folios/pages are cleaned with cotton ball.

25. ii. Para-dichlorobenzene and Killoptera fumigation
Requirements: i. An airtight fumigation chamber
ii. Para-dichlorobenzene (1.5 kg per cubic
meter)
iii. Liquid Killoptera (225 ml. per cubic
metre)
(a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and
ethylene dichloride)
Duration: Para-dichlorobenzene takes 7 to 8 days Killoptera takes
24 to 26 hours
Repetition: This process does not kill eggs of beetles which are
laid under the binding joints and boards. The eggs
take a time of 20-21 days to be hatched and so the
fumigation process may be repeated to catch them
next.

26. c. Vacuum fumigation
1. Vacuum fumigation is one of the most
effective means of getting rid of the insects
and beetles.
2. Vacuum fumigation with ethylene oxide
mixed with carbon dioxide (1:9 by weight) is
used.
3. This is one of the most effective method of
eliminating insects and beetles.

27. d. Sterilization
1. In this process sterilization of the microclimate of
the room is possible by spraying 10% solution of
thymol in methylated spirit in the air.
2. This process will check the growth of fungus in the
room where there is no arrangement for bringing
down the relative humidity below 75% especially
during high temperature and rain.
3. This process is done in a closed room and just
before the close of the library or museum so that it
does not affect human beings.

28. Remedies of Silverfish
Naphthalene balls
Boric acid
Cedar wood oil
Cinnamon oil
Cloves
Citrus fruits
Table salt
Diatomaceous Earth
(one class of algae
called diatoms,
fossilized)
Insecticidal
paper

29. Remedies of Cockroaches
Commercial Repellent
Ammonia Solution
Naphthalene balls
Mint Oil
Listerine
Cedar wood oil
Insecticidal paper

30. Preventive measures for Cockroaches
• Use non toxic disinfectants to keep house clean.
• Seal cracks in walls, cabinets, doors and
cupboards.
• Screen or seal drain pipes and sink outlets.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Vacuum regularly.
• Remember to take out the garbage and clean the
dustbins.
• Use trash cans with lids.

31. Control of cockroaches and silverfish
Use of insect repellent chemicals like naphthalene,
D.D.T., pyrethrum, sodium fluoride, etc., reduces
chances cockroaches attack.
For silverfish, spray of naphthalene powder is most
effective.
Measures: While spraying these poisonous drugs or
insecticidal liquids, it is to ensure that the
spray is directed only towards the wall, dark
corners, and crevices frequented by insects,
and not to the manuscripts, books and
records. These toxic chemicals are harmful for
materials as well as man.

32. Remedies of Psocid infestations
 The most effective method for controlling booklice is
to reduce moisture.
 Psocid generally do not survive when humidity falls
below 50%.
 A dehumidifier or fan is effective in reducing
moisture. Sometimes airing out a room to keep the
air moving may be sufficient.
 Store boxes, bags, books, and papers off of the floor
to minimize exposure to dampness
 Vacuum fumigation
 Sterilization
 Insecticidal paper

33. Remedies of termites or white ants
Dry environment
White arsenic, D.D.T. powder, 1% solution of
sodium arsenic in water or 5% solution of
D.D.T., Dieldex emulsible concentrate with
water, 1:60 (4-5 litres per metre) are quite
satisfactory for the treatment of termite

34. Remedies/Control of Rodents
 Hygienic condition of the building
 Disciplined storage condition
 Trapping
 Poisons are always used with baits which are spread over
places, frequented by rats. Sausage, rusk, dry ground
biscuit mixed with water, sugar meal (9 parts of wheat
flour, soaked well and formed into a thick paste), are some
good baits bases.
 Some of the good rat poisons are Zink Phosphide ( 3-5%),
arsenous oxide (10-15%)Barium Carbonate (10-15%), ANTU
(Alphanaphthyl-thiourea) and warfarin (3, Lactonyl-4
hydroxy coumarin) are commercial poisons sold under
trade names can be used with baits.

35. Control of rodents
Baits Preparation: Sausage, rusk, dry ground
biscuit mixed with water, sugar
meal (9 parts of wheat flour,
soaked well and formed into a
thick paste), are some good baits bases.
Commercial poisons: Zink Phosphide ( 3-5%),
arsenous oxide (10-15%) Barium
Carbonate (10-15%), ANTU
(Alphanaphthyl-thiourea) and
Warfar in (3, Lactonyl-4 hydroxy
coumarin) are commercial
poisons sold under trade names
can be used with baits.

36. SITUATION LIGHT LEVELS RECOMENDATIONS
Study and Research Areas 200—600 lux Optimum light
recommended for
comfortable vision
Storage Areas 10—50 lux Natural light to be blocked
completely from storage
areas, minimum light levels
to be used or turned of
when not in use.
Exhibition Areas for
Sensitive Collections
50—75 lux Paper and books should
never be on permanent
display or at most an
annual exposure of four
weeks. Facsimiles and
photographs only to be
exhibited for endangered
collections.
Optimum light levels:

37. Air pollution
Air pollution is another major hazard that severely
deteriorates manuscripts. Air contains many types of
gases like
sulphur dioxide (SO2),
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
Carbon dioxide, (CO2),
Carbon monoxide (CO),
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
metal dust, carbon particles from
industries
sand and soil particles from stones,
construction sites, desert, dry river
basin and barren hills.

38. Control of Air pollution
a) Use of Air conditioning
b. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
(HVAC) system
c. Use of wrappers and covers
d. Use of poly-vinyl coated chamber
e. Curtains
f. Plantation of evergreen trees

39. Thanks