The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 18, April 28, 2002, Article 9

DEACIDIFICATION PRODUCTS

  NBS Board member Joel Orosz writes: "Regarding Chet
  Dera's mention of "Archival Mist", I cannot vouch for this
  specific product, having never used it or even seen it, but the
  basic chemistry described has been used in archives and by
  conservators for more than three decades.  I have personally
  used two such products, Wei To and Bookkeeper, with
  excellent results.

  It is true that the paper does not buckle, and if you apply the
  spray carefully, no excess precipitate appears on the paper.
  In fact, it is visually impossible to determine whether or not
  the paper has been deacidified.  The only way to tell is by feel
  -- paper deacidified by this method is noticeably dry to the
  touch.

  As veteran bibliophiles know, the woodpulp paper that
  began to be used about 1860 is highly acidic, and unless
  sealed in an airtight environment, turns yellow and brittle
  over time.  The wrappers on pamphlets and journals are
  particularly a problem.  Deacidification with Bookkeeper
  (which is available from University Products) will not
  reverse damage that has already been done, will not restore
  the flexibility of the original paper, nor will it completely
  protect against further damage from acidic reactions, but
  its buffering action does slow such reactions to a crawl.
  I highly recommend it to preserve brittle acidic paper.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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