Investigation of volatile organic compounds associated with polyethylene and polypropylene containers used for conservation storage

Abstract

Many UK museums store their more sensitive archaeological metalwork and palaeontological material in air‐tight polyethylene containers to stabilise the relative humidity surrounding the specimen, but several manufacturers have recently changed their container material to polypropylene. In this investigation, the air inside a number of empty polypropylene and polyethylene containers was sampled for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and standard Oddy tests were undertaken on the container materials to ascertain any extra risk to museum specimens from the new polypropylene containers. In the Oddy tests, lead coupons were consistently the most affected by the container materials, and polypropylene material appeared only slightly more problematic than polyethylene. Many VOCs were identified and although none were considered particularly reactive or harmful to objects/specimens, this is the first time they have been recorded in this context. Significantly, it was found that the greatest concentrations of these compounds occurred soon after manufacture, and that they can remain at high levels in sealed containers for several years. Therefore it is recommended that until more data are gathered on the identified species and their interactions with various museum objects are analysed, such containers should be stored with the lids removed for at least several months between purchase and use with collections.

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