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Subject: [NYFL] newspaper and magazine preservation
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 22:03:45 EST

from New Scientist magazine
Newspaper and Magazine preservation

The principal factors contributing to the deterioration of paper are
oxidation and acid hydrolysis caused by chemicals it contains. Light-induced
oxidation of lignin, the component of the cell walls of plants which is
widely present in paper, is what turns newspapers yellow.

Meanwhile, the cellulose fibres are cut by a reaction involving heat and
acids, which turns the paper brown and brittle. To prevent these reactions,
keep the newspapers cool, dark and dry.

The folders and boxes you keep your newspapers in should be made of acid-free
material, to prevent acid migrating into the paper. Interleave the newspapers
with acid-free paper and encapsulate it with polyester film or Mylar. Don't
use ordinary plastic or vinyl because these contain solvents and additives
that can migrate into the paper.

There are sprays and solutions available that prevent paper turning brittle
and yellowing. The deacidifying solutions Wei T'o, Bookkeeper and Archival
Mist all contain methoxyl magnesium methyl carbonate. Impregnating the paper
with these alkaline solutions neutralises existing acids and inhibits
oxidation.

You might also wish to deacidify old newspaper clippings. A recipe for doing
this is to dissolve a milk of magnesia tablet in 1 litre of soda water and
let it stand for eight hours, then pour the mixture into a glass or plastic
container. Do not use aluminium pans. Soak the paper clippings in this for a
hour and hang them out to dry completely. Make sure you test the ink on the
clippings to make sure it won't run, before using this method. You should
change the solution when it turns yellow.

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