PHOTO OXIDATION OF PAPER DOCUMENTS - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

The problem of the photo yellowing of cellulose materials and in speci al newspapers is well known. Due to restrictions in archives, librarie s and museums, papers are well defended against light sources, which m ay emit a radiation causing the photo deterioration. Still the effects of the photo deterioration of paper should not be underestimated. Thi s paper presents a review on the theoretical backgrounds of the effect of light on the deterioration of paper and shows, that although the p resence of direct light can be avoided often during consulting archiva l documents and books, the risk of forming initiators causing further deterioration should not be ignored. The extent of this risk is howeve r until now unknown. Therefore it has to be recommended to carry out r esearch on the effects on the oxidative and alkaline deterioration of paper, especially for naturally aged papers which are deacidified.