Gamma Radiation Treatment of Paper in Different Environmental Conditions: Chemical, Physical and Microbiological Analysis

Abstract

Brought to you by | University of Queensland -UQ Library Authenticated Download Date | 6/16/15 11:58 PM Gamma Radiation Treatment of Paper 108 included in the trials the Whatman Paper, in order to check, once again, the effects of irradiation on those chemical and physical properties that can be measured only on pure cellulose, for example the degree of polymerisation.The main negative effects of radiation on the paper (observed through viscometric and infrared spectroscopic measurements) are: the formation of unsaturated components, which do not pertain to the structure of the polymer, and the depolymerisation of cellulose, which is proportional to the absorbed radiation 4 . The ageing of paper also influences these effects. Therefore, it was decided to combine the radiation treatment with other treatments that could moderate the formation and the action of free radicals, which are principally responsible for the depolymerisation of cellulose 5 . Two series of experiments were arranged: the effects of oxygen removal in the first, and water soaking in the second. This latter experiment also attempted to simulate the effects of irradiation on already deteriorated paper, imitating, for example the situation after a flood. Moreover, we controlled the in vivo effect of radiation on the microbial flora. Finally, the effect of irradiation after a certain time was verified. All the samples, having undergone the different experimental treatments, were compared with a similar series of samples. which were submitted to accelerated ageing.In brief, the objectives of the present work were:• to verify the effects of radiation on commercial paper and, for some parameters, on cellulose;• to confirm the effect of the ionising radiation to reduce the microbial flora;• to verify the ability of some treatments associated with irradiation: to increase the decontaminating action of radiation, and/or to reduce the negative effects of irradiation on paper;• to verify the action of irradiation on paper over time.The objective of the experimental work was not only to find the most relevant structural changes induced by the decontamination treatment. We also aimed at evaluating the effects of these changes, in view of a costs/benefits analysis, which has to be calculated before proposing the method on a large scale.

Is there evidence for change to collagen within parchment samples after exposure to an X-ray dose during high contrast X-ray microtomography? a multi technique investigation

“…cellulose and paper) [6][7][8][9] and very few studies have investigated the effect of radiation on parchment [10][11][12][13]. Therefore in this study a number of complementary scientific techniques are used to compare parchment samples before and after exposure to X-rays using XMT to ensure no detectable change is observed.…”

Radiation processing for cultural heritage preservation – Romanian experience

“…The effects of ionizing radiation on CH materials were studied mainly for cellulosic materials, especially for paper [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and pigments [23][24][25]. Most authors agree that reducing the degree of cellulose polymerization is the main side effect of paper irradiation.…”

Control of Fungal Paper Deterioration by Antifungal Drugs, Essential Oils, Gamma and Laser Irradiation

“…The handling of books after γ-irradiation may be done safely because γ-rays pass through materials without leaving any residue (Adamo et al, 1998(Adamo et al, , 2001. It also causes no change in the physic-chemical characters of papers (Gonzales, 2002) or in printing compounds (Rocchetti et al, 2002).…”

“…Gamma rays, electromagnetic waves with high penetrating power, pass through materials without leaving any residue, an advantage comparing to other disinfection treatments, since the handling of books and documents may be done safely just after irradiation (Adamo et al, 1998 and2001). Studies demonstrated that the damage in mechanical-physical properties caused by gamma rays on paper was not significant (Adamo et al, 1998 and2001;Gonzalez et al, 2002).…”

“…Studies demonstrated that the damage in mechanical-physical properties caused by gamma rays on paper was not significant (Adamo et al, 1998 and2001;Gonzalez et al, 2002). These studies were extended to the color of printing inks on paper and the result was that they are resistant to gamma radiation (Rocchetti et al, 2002).…”