POST-IT notes

In 1988 the research and testing laboratory of the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA) reported on the examination of two brands
of removable self-stick notes.  While both the Scotch (TM) brand Post-it
(TM) Notes and ABM brand Attention (TM) Note Pads employed different
adhesives, the test results were similar.

Adhesive remained on paper to which the notes were attached after two
weeks of oven aging (80 C, 65% RH).  Surprisingly, adhesive residue was
left behind even when the notes were removed straightaway.  Neither
adhesive lifted electrostatic images when removed immediately; however,
both lifted electro#static images after oven aging.

The adhesive was not the only problem with these products.  Several of
the colored notes bled upon wetting.  Most importantly, several of the
removable note papers contain lignin and are alum-rosin sized.  They
will deteriorate readily and have potential to damage materials with
which they are stored.

The laboratory report concluded, "these notes will cause increasing
preservation problems when used with permanent records and should be
avoided both within NARA, and especially within agencies which create
records."

Diana Alper-Roley

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:74
                  Distributed: Thursday, March 9, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-8-74-003
                                  ***