Aseptic technique: A goal to strive for in collection recovery of moldy archival materials and artifacts

In a collection recovery of moldy heritage materials, it is impossible to a ttain a completely aseptic technique because of the open sites and often la rge numbers of objects. Still, it is a goal to strive for. Aseptic techniqu e can prevent cross-contamination from moldy to nonmoldy objects and an inc rease in airborne conidia in the work site, reducing health hazards as well as hazards to objects. Personal protection-masks, gloves, and garments-and a method fro moving air away from the conservator during recovery treatmen ts must be used. Another reason for using aseptic technique is that monitor ing methods for determining contamination of air or surfaces have biases th at make the results difficult if not impossible to interpret; thus every ef fort to prevent contamination is essential.