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text blocks after d rying most bo und material needs rebinding. Single sheets often need flattening and rehousing
(Buchanan, 1999). In general it is better to dry books very slowly and in the shade.
In most of the general literature on disaster planning a chapter on recovery is found. For further reading see
Buchanan, 1999; Kahn, 1994; Lundquist, 1986; McCleary, 1987; NAA, 2000; Rees et al., 2000; Walsh, 1988 and
1997; Waters, 1993.
6.2.4.2 Fire-related Recovery
One of the most difficult parts of recovery after a fire is soot removal. The removal becomes more difficult when
the layer is compacted through excessive handling or when an object has been subjected to high humidity conditions.
Tests at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum show that some objects were more difficult to clean six weeks after the
fire than objec ts cleaned within a week after the fire (Spafford -Ricci et al., 2000). Again it is best to take action after
a disaster as soon as possible.
Paper materials can best be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, fitted with a HEPA-filter, or by wiping them clean
with a dry sponge. Be sure to keep the books tightly closed to p revent soot settling in between the leaves (T rinkley,
2001).
Several new cleaning methods for fire-damaged artefacts have b een investigated. Atomic oxygen treatment has
been tested on fire-damaged paintings. The method seems to have potential. The process is not intended to replace
conventional techniques, but can be an additional conservation tool where conventional techniques have not been
effective (Rutledge et al., 2000). So-called chemical sponges have also been analysed (Moffatt, 1992).
There are two commercial p rocesses available to rid the fire-damaged artefacts of the odour inescapably left by
a fire. However, neither the thermal deodorization nor the ozone treatment are acceptable for museum, library and
archives collections. The first method uses high temperatures and causes premature ageing and brittleness. The
second will cause leather to deteriorate, alter dyes, embrittle paper and fade inks. Small objects can be sealed in
plastic bags with absorbents like baking soda, clay cat litter and activated carbon. Over time much of the smell will
be absorbed. Generally, the sooner the soot is removed from the artefacts the sooner the odour disappears (Trinkley,
2001).
Much information on disaster recovery can be found on the internet. Check the websites of CoOL, where several
bibliographies are found like the one published by SOLINET: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery: Selected
Bibliography. Also the NED CC website (No rtheast Document Conservation Center) is full of practical information,
including several technical leaflets on recovery. For recovery after an earthquake see Kreimer, 1989. Next to the
literature already mentioned earlier, see for general literature on disaster recovery Doig, 1997; NAA, 2000; NARA,
n.d.; Rutledge et al., 2000; Schreider, 1998.
6.3 Natural Disasters
6.3.1 Introduction
In many parts of the world, according to the ISDR, disasters caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods,
landslides, drought, wildfires, tropical cyclones and associated storm surges, tsunami and volcanic eruptions have
exacted a heavy toll in terms of the loss of human lives and the destruction of economic and social infrastructure,
not to mention the negative impact on already fragile ecosystem s. The list goes on of disasters that are difficult to
guard against except by taking preventive measures. Every year, treasures are destroyed by fire and extreme weather
conditions (Shukor, 1995). Indeed, the period between 1960 and 2000 witnessed an exponential increase in the
occurrence, severity and intensity of disasters, especially during the 1990s. For example, at the United Nations
workshop on water-related disaster reduction, data was presented that floods had been increasing in severity
(UNESCAP, 1990). The facts and figures from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) confirm this massive and increasing scale of disasters. Some 250 million to 300 million people are affected
annually, most of them in Asia. In 1991 and 1 998, for example, Chinese flood victims accounted for more than half
of the global total (IFRC, 2001). This trend poses a major threat to the planet and therefore needs to be addressed
by the international community with a sense of urgency.
The W orld Bank finds that developing countries in particular have becom e increasingly vulnerable to natural
disasters as a result of such factors as population growth and urbanisation (Anderson, 2001). Table 1 shows that the
effects of earthquakes are far more devastating in poor countries than in rich countries. Subsequently, there are also
cultural changes that produce an increase in the magnitude of natural disasters. In earlier days people had a thorough
knowledge of the natural conditions of the area they live in. They adopted a way of life that could cope with natural
risks. Over the years much of this wisdom has vanished. People move around for a better economic future. Some
go to the city where such knowledge is no longer needed. Others come to live in unfamiliar areas vulnerable to
unfamiliar disasters and are unprepared for them. Continuing external changes are another problem. For instance,
the people living along the Chao Phrarya River in Thailand failed to cope with changes in the drainage system
around Bangkok and the global climate changes, because of divergent traditions and customs (UNESCAP, 1990).In
India people behave the same way (Prakash, 1994). It is essential to pay attention to the traditional knowledge of
building and construction of the particular location when choosing a site for a new archive (see also section on
Building – Traditional Building). Nowadays, natural disaster risks maps are developed (UNESCAP, 1990). If
available for the area such maps can give valuable additional information. Consequently, we have to bear in mind
that the human fac tor, i.e. the social, political and economic environment, is as much a cause of disasters as the
natural environment (Blaikie et al., 1994).
Managua Califo rnia