Archives of Science
Open Access

Preserving archives; Microenvironment; Humidity; Temperature; Cultural heritage

Introduction

Preserving historical documents, valuable artifacts, and cherished records is of paramount importance for maintaining our collective heritage. However, these treasures face a persistent threat from mold, which can irreversibly damage and degrade them over time. In recent years, the focus has shifted towards microenvironment intervention and regulation as effective strategies for mold prevention in archive packaging. This article explores the significance of micro environmental factors, innovative interventions, and regulatory measures in safeguarding archives from mold. The microenvironment within archive packaging plays a critical role in mold growth. Factors such as temperature, relative humidity, light exposure, and ventilation directly influence the development and proliferation of mold spores. By carefully controlling these parameters, we can create an inhospitable environment for mold growth and ensure the long-term preservation of valuable archival materials [1].

Temperature and relative humidity control

Maintaining stable temperature and relative humidity levels is essential for mold prevention. Fluctuations in these parameters can create favorable conditions for mold growth. It is recommended to maintain temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (15°C and 21°C) and relative humidity levels between 30% and 50%. Achieving these ideal conditions requires the use of environmental monitoring systems and controlled storage environments [2].

Ventilation and air quality

Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold. Proper airflow helps in maintaining a dry environment by reducing condensation and stagnant air. Archive storage areas should be equipped with proper ventilation systems and air filters to ensure good air quality and prevent the introduction of mold spores from external sources [3].

Light exposure

Excessive exposure to light, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can accelerate mold growth and cause irreversible damage to archival materials. UV filters and light-blocking materials can be employed to mitigate the harmful effects of light exposure. Additionally, implementing a lighting schedule that limits the duration and intensity of light can significantly reduce the risk of mold development [4].

Innovative interventions

Alongside environmental controls, innovative interventions have emerged as effective tools for mold prevention in archive packaging.

Desiccants and moisture absorbers: Desiccant materials, such as silica gel, can help absorb excess moisture from the storage environment. Placing desiccant packets within archive packaging or using moisture absorber units in storage areas can effectively control humidity levels and inhibit mold growth [5].

Barrier materials and sealing techniques: Advanced barrier materials with low permeability to moisture and gases are being developed to create a protective enclosure for archival materials. Additionally, employing appropriate sealing techniques, such as heat sealing or vacuum sealing, can create an airtight environment that limits mold spore infiltration [6].

Regulatory measures: To ensure consistent mold prevention practices in archive packaging, regulatory measures have been implemented by archival institutions and governing bodies.

Standards and guidelines: International standards and guidelines, such as those developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and national archival associations, provide comprehensive recommendations for mold prevention. These standards cover aspects such as environmental conditions, storage materials, handling procedures, and cleaning protocols [7].

Training and education: Archival professionals and personnel undergo training programs to enhance their knowledge and skills related to mold prevention. This includes understanding the risks associated with mold, proper handling techniques, and the importance of maintaining a controlled microenvironment.

Inspection and monitoring: Regular inspection and monitoring of archive storage areas are critical for early detection of mold and prompt remediation. Institutions employ trained personnel or use automated monitoring systems to identify any deviations in temperature, relative humidity, and air quality [8].

Effect of inorganic nanomaterials on the mould

The inorganic nanomaterials were detected using the bacteriostatic circle method, which revealed that they suppressed five types of mould, with the best inhibition effect on Penicillium citrinum. The quantitative bacteriostasis circle diameter following inorganic nanomaterials is presented in . Different concentrations of the inorganic nanomaterials mixed with the medium and inoculated with the same concentration of the mould revealed that the inorganic nanomaterials with 20% concentration exhibited an excellent effect inhibiting of mould growth on all moulds compared to the blank control group. In addition, 5% and 10% inorganic nanomaterial permeate in Penicillium citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata also exhibited good fungistatic effects [9].

Bacteriostatic effect of inorganic nanomaterials

The mildew breeding in the archives provides a suitable microenvironment for bacterial growth leading to bacterial pollution in the library air, which poses a great health threat to the library staff. In the present study, we selected three bacteria commonly infecting the human body to assess the bactericidal effect of the inorganic nanomaterials. The bactericidal effect of different concentrations of inorganic nanomaterials revealed that concentrations between 14%−28% had an excellent antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [10].

Conclusion

Microenvironment intervention and regulation are vital components in the fight against mold growth and degradation of valuable archival materials. By implementing effective strategies, such as controlling temperature and humidity, ensuring proper ventilation, employing innovative. The right environment is a breeding ground for mould. Inspired by the preservation microenvironment of ancient cultural relics, this paper proposes a convenient and non-interventional strategy involving paper archive micro environmental intervention and regulation to use a new type of archive packaging box treated with inorganic nanomaterial.

1. Getz G, Levine E, Domany E (2000) Coupled two-way clustering analysis of gene microarray data. Proc Natl Acad Sci 97: 54-56

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

2. Li X, Peng S, Chen J, Lü B, Zhang H, Lai M(2012) SVM-T-RFE: a novel gene selection algorithm for identifying metastasis-related genes in colorectal cancer using gene expression profiles. Biochem Biophys R 419: 148–153.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

3. Zhang H, Yu CY, Singer B, Xiong M (2001) Recursive partitioning for tumor classification with gene expression microarray data. Proc Natl Acad Sci 98: 6730–6735.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

4. Parmigiani G, Garrett-Mayer ES, Anbazhagan R, Gabrielson E (2004) A cross-study comparison of gene expression studies for the molecular classification of lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res 10: 2922–2927.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

5. Zhang L, Wang L, Du B (2016) Classification of non-small cell lung cancer using significance analysis of microarray-gene set reduction algorithm. Biomed Res Int 16: 8-10.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

6. Li J, Wang Y, Song X, Xiao H (2018) Adaptive multinomial regression with overlapping groups for multi-class classification of lung cancer. Comput Biol Med 100:1–9.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

7. Azzawi H, Hou J, Xiang Y, Alanni R (2016) Lung Cancer prediction from microarray data by gene expression programming. IET Syst Biol 10:168–178.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

8. Guan P, Huang D, He M, Zhou B (2009) Lung cancer gene expression database analysis incorporating prior knowledge with support vector machine-based classification method. J Exp Clin 278: 1–7.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

9. De Santis R, Gloria A, Viglione S (2018) 3D laser scanning in conjunction with surface texturing to evaluate shift and reduction of the tibiofemoral contact area after meniscectomy. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 88: 41–47.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref

10. Delen D, Walker G, Kadam A (2005) Predicting breast cancer survivability: A comparison of three data mining methods.Artif Intell Med 34: 113–127.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Crossref