What sort of plastics are safe for scrapbooks?
The International Standards Organization (ISO) standard for photo filing enclosures (ISO 18902) suggests polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polyester (PET), but even these must be tested with the Photographic Activity Test (PAT) to determine if they have chemical alterations, additives, or coatings that might be harmful to photographic materials. That standard also states not to use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acetate, or nitrate containing plastics. These can emit plasticizers, acids, and oxidizing gases that will harm photos and many others scrapbook components. Other plastics, not mentioned above, should be used with caution and always tested with the PAT first.
