Study on Some Operational Problems of Modified Inert Atmosphere Fumigation and their Solutions - Applied on a Selected Wooden Artifact

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of modified inert atmosphere (MIA) fumigation as an alternative to conventional chemical and physical pest control techniques has proven effectiveness in eradicating insect pests in museum collections. Nowadays MIA are conducted in rigid chambers whose fixed size limits their use whenever small, few or very large objects are to be treated. Therefore, the growing need for utilizing custom-size flexible systems seems to be everlasting. Conducting flexible systems is associated with some operational problems; as the difficulty of choosing the proper inert fumigant and maintaining its desired concentration over the treatment period, to regulate relative humidity to the range suitable for the materials of the artifacts to be treated, and to detect live insect individuals to a high level of accuracy. Incompetence in dealing with these problems, MIA treatment may fail, and artifacts may be jeopardized. Researches conducted to propose solutions to some of these problems still have their limitations.