Detox cure for art treasures

From 1950 to the 1980, it was quite common to protect wood against insects and micro-organisms with PCP, DDT and lindane. Though the adverse effect of this practice was only recognized later: Lindane and PCP evaporate into the air, while DDT often builds up a white crystalline coating on the surface of the wood. A new method to remove unsightly pesticide residues from wooden art treasures using supercritical carbon dioxide as an extraction solvent is described.