Totally pointless post about paper

[KatieHal]

I was just refilling the copier at work.

Why does paper specify itself as "acid-free"? Okay, other than "it doesn't have acid in it!"  

I mean, I don't know anything about paper and how to make it, but I should think if I did, I'd never think, "Hey you know what we should do? Put ACID in the paper! That'd be great!"

(yes, I know it doesn't mean THAT kind of acid...I'm just thinking aloud.)

[Storm]

I think it has something to do with the quality of the paper - maybe paper that's treated with acid (to get it white) is of lesser quality, and low quality paper gets yellow faster (like newspaper).

Just a pointless thought there

[MangoMercury]

I never noticed that before...  But it is a very interesting topic of conversation...  But I'm afraid I can't help ya out ^^;;

[copycat]

There are two ways to bleach paper, with chlorine (?sp and acidious I think) and by oxygen (if I'm not mistaken) and they, now, produce the same quality of paper. Maybe it's to indicate the paper was not bleached in an environmentally polluting manner.

What does have an impact on the quality of the paper is the amount of recycled paper in it.
 
P.S. We don't have acid-free paper, at least it's not printed on the wrappings. Does that mean I'm working in a hazardous environment when putting something on paper?

[KatieHal]

Ahhhh....wise copycat, you have enlightened me!

[copycat]

Glad to have been of assistance to those less 'gifted' on the subject.