Flooring

We are currently constructing new storage facilities for the
university's permanent collection of paintings, photos and works on
paper. In selecting a flooring material for this space, I am
concerned about offgassing of reactive chemicals in linoleum tile,
tile adhesives and concrete sealants, all of which are currently
under consideration. (There is standard commercial ventilation in
the space). Can anyone advise on appropriate materials for this use?
Is there a database/publication about the long term effects of
building materials on art objects in general?

One great work about this matter is the Susan Garretson Swartzburg
bibliography Libraries and archives: design and renovation with a
preservation perspective. Metuchen, N.J. The Scarecrow Press Inc,
1991, particularly Chapters 2 and 3. She provides one compilation
with comments. Also, the Unesco published in 1988 one excellent
RAMP paper about indoor air pollution. It has a final bibliography.
The complete reference is Pascoe, M.W. Impact of Environmental
Pollution on the Preservation of Archives and Records: A RAMP
Study.(PGI-88/WS/18). Paris, UNESCO, 1988. 44 pags. It's free.

Arsenio Sanchez
Laboratorio de Restauracion
Biblioteca Nacional

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:17
                Distributed: Wednesday, August 12, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-12-17-011
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