Gamma radiation treatment for the recovery of photographic materials

When temperature and humidity in the buildings hosting libraries and historical archives are uncontrolled, or exceptional events occur, environment mayh became favorable for development of microorganisms (molds or fungi) and for infestation o chewing insects.

The attack of microorganisms and/or insects can indeed cause rapid and disastrous damage to those cultural materials containing cellulose, starchy material, albumen, glue, gelatine, dyestuffs, pigments, dispersing agents, and other additives that provide food sources for biodeteriogens.

Damage may vary even to complete destruction of the artifact and the nature and extent of the deterioration depends not only on organisms and materials, but also on how promptly the infection and/or infestation is discovered and controlled.

When the effetct of a biological attack are impressive and there is an ongoing infection/infestation, it is necessary to use systems fof disinfection/disinfestation of materials.

Experimental research on the potential use of gamma radiation for the recovery o biodeteriorated materials, carried out all over the world since the 1960s, sufferend a setback caused by the spreading of the sterilization treatment with ethylene oxide (ETO)effective against both microorganisms and insects.

Untll today, in fact, decontamination of biodeteriorated material is usually performed with ETO but this fumigation treatment, owing to the last results of more in-depth research about its harmful effects on human health, the environment, as well as in some cases, even for the cultural heritage itself, has been banned in many countries.

[…] All these counter indications have given new impetus to radiation technologies that have re-emerged as a viable technique and which requires further examination.

As ethylene oxide, gamma radiation is able to kill living organisms by the irreversible denaturation or cleavage of nucleic acids simultaneously and indiscriminately devitalizing all living organisms present on and inside the treated material

Contents:
Introduction
Gamma radiation
Preliminary results
Gmma radiation of photographic material
Work in progress
Conclusions
References

By Marianna Adamo, Ubaldo Cesareo, Massimo De Francesco, Donatella Matè
From Kermes 96 (April-June 2012) – pages 45-53

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