Museum Handbook: Primer on Disaster Preparedness
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Orange Line Graphic
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Orange Block Graphic Damage

Microorganisms will permanently damage the materials supporting them. They will stain textiles and decrease the strength of the fabric. The scattered spots known as foxing on paper prints or drawings is damage resulting from these growths. Leather is particularly susceptible to the actions of microorganisms and will be stained and weakened by them. As a by-product, fungi can produce organic acids that will corrode and etch inorganic materials.


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