Study on the effect of butanol vapours and other alcohols on fungi

The effect and the conditions for the use of several alcohols, mainly of butanol, isopropanol and ethanol, on several fungi and on writing materials and seals are checked. In addition to the information found in the technical literature experiments were undertaken in order to define the effect of vapours of the three alcohols at different temperatures and in different concentrations on fungi spores. As a main result, the use of highly concentrated butanol (89-95%) vapour in a hermetically sealed chamber is recommended. A sufficient effect was found after one day of this treatment. Seals should be protected from the vapour, for example, using a PE bag. The author emphasizes that the experiments were performed with samples of new paper (filter paper), i.e. that no conclusion on the effect of the treatment on paper containing impurities and on the spores deeper in a thick layer material, as for example, in an unopened book can be drawn from it.