Gamma Radiation Processing for Disinfection of a 19th Century Photo Album

Abstract

A 19th century photo album was donated to the Hercule Florence Institute collection. After going through the quarantine, it was discovered that the album was contaminated by anobides. The album was sent for disinfestation treatment by ionizing radiation processing at IPEN. The dose applied was 3 kGy for the immediate eradication of the insects. Colorimetry analysis performed before and after irradiation found that treatment with ionizing radiation did not affect human color perception in the album and the photographs present.

Keywords

• gamma radiation
• disinfection
• photographic album