Hi Paolo,
The difference between Bynes and Glass Disease can be found in another paper on my ResearchGate page:
They are exactly opposite chemically: Byne's is caused by acids from cellulose (wood, paper & cotton) attacking shells, which are alkaline, whereas glass disease is the natural decay of glass (mostly soda glass) through absorption of water, resulting in alkaline
solutions on the glass surface. The former is much more of a concern than the latter.
Science vials these days are made of borosilicate glass, which is clearer, harder and more stable than soda glass. The latter is still used for food-grade jars, though, as it's much cheaper.
Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology and General Invertebrates
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
[log in to unmask] Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170
Hi Paul, thanks for pointing our attention to this paper.
What about the kind of glass for the vials you suggested? Is there any specific type that may release acidic gas and should be avoided? I have seen specimens stored in glass vials in old collections that were severely affected by Byne's disease, but I cannot
tell whether the main culprit was the glass, the stopper or the paper.
Cheers, Paolo
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