Commonly used Solvents in Conservation Laboratories and Their Effects on Albumen Print

Photographic materials are composite objects with complex chemical and physical structures. They react and respond differently to both external and internal triggers, and are more vulnerable than other archival materials. In this study, albumen print specimens from the 19th century were tested for their reactions to the most commonly used treatment solvents in conservation laboratories. Almost all the solvents tested in this work caused some degree of change and/or degradation to the photographs as measured by ATR-FTIR, and Ninhydrin spot test. Measurements taken before and after testing confirmed changes to pH value for all tested areas. The physical changes were monitored and confirmed by stereo-microscopy.