1980’s-present office papers (are they all only 1% lignin?)

[Jen Hughes]

Are all basic office papers produced after the 1980’s brittle book issue was dealt with considered permanent paper, having a 2% minimum alkaline reserve and less than 1% lignin? I am specifically dealing with paper used to make photocopies, print/type on – not newspapers, lined filler/notebook paper, or paper used in books.
My volunteers have been encapsulating ALL paper in L-sleeve polypropylene (open at the top for air flow). I am wondering if I simply house these papers in acid-free folders and boxes, and reserve the polypropylene for encapsulating pre-1980’s materials only?
Also, much of the collection was housed in plastic commercial binders- can the papers continue to reside in these binders once housed in acid-free boxes, or is the plastic off-gassing?

[Author]

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