Dust in Libraries

Indoor air pollution in libraries and archives can be harmful for materials stored there. Adverse effects of most of gaseous pollutants are well described, but less is known about dust. Dust particles cover a wide range of sizes and have a variable composition. These characteristics determine their transport to the surfaces and also possible harmful effects. Dust particles not only cause soiling, but coarse particles can damage surfaces by abrasion. Fine particles of acidic or alkaline character may penetrate into the books where they may cause chemical degradation or moistening due to their hygroscopicity. Dust particles in the indoor environment of libraries and archives are studied in a project which aim is a development of evaluation methods for indoor air quality, targeted at reduction of damages on archival collections caused by adverse effects of environment