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News Release99-06 The National Library of Canada and Wei T'o Associates receive the 1999 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stratospheric Ozone Protection AwardOttawa, September 29, 1999 -- Last night, during the Earth Technology Forum in Washington, D.C., the National Library of Canada and Wei T'o Associates were awarded the 1999 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Stratospheric Ozone Protection award. The National Library is one of 11 individuals and organizations from around the world to receive this honor in recognition of exemplary efforts to protect the ozone layer. Based on Richard Daniel Smith's doctoral research into an effective, feasible, long-lasting, and safe mass deacidification process to protect books and documents against aging (i.e., the paper yellowing and becoming brittle), the world's first mass deacidification system was started at the National Archives of Canada in 1981, and was subsequently transferred to the National Library of Canada. The National Library has treated over 950 000 items from its collections in its mass deacidification system. Mass deacidification has significantly increased the longevity and useful life of the collection materials, while respecting evolving environmental concerns. In 1997, Wei T'o Associates Inc. (a company located in Matteson, Illinois) was able to produce a stable HFC-134a solution for use in the preservation of books at the National Library of Canada. The new formulation replaced the CFC and HCFC formulations that had been used previously and which damaged the ozone layer. Furthermore, this new formulation was found suitable for use in mass deacidification of all types and sizes of books. Solvent recovery, using the current system, is projected at 95 percent for 1999. The National Library of Canada participated in the testing and evaluation of these production-stable formulations. The National Library of Canada is committed to continuing its efforts to protect the ozone layer. For more information, contact Réal Couture Line Ménard |