I'm a student of conservation science who currently is writing a thesis
about the problems in museum collections due to indoor air pollution.
One such problem can be carbonyls emitted from wooden drawers, show
cases, cabinets, etc., which houses calcium carbonate structures such as
bird egg shells or sea shells. (You've probably all heard of this). This
can cause a heavy deterioration with efflorescent salts on the shell
surface, often called "Bynes Disease" (or more correctly "Bynes
Efflorescence").

I know of a few incidents of this from the conservation literature, but
I would like to get a picture of just how widespread this kind of
deterioration really is. Any reports or stories will be highly
appreciated.


- Morten


Konservatorskolen (The School of Conservation)
Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi
Esplanaden 34, DK-1263 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Fax: (+45) 33 74 47 77

The Website of Indoor Air Quality in Museums and Archives:
http://hjem.get2net.dk/ryhl/