Of all environmental conditions, temperature is the one people are most conscious of and therefore instinctively consider the most important to control. However, as far as collections are concerned, even small changes in relative humidity can have a very destructive impact.

Light also affects the longevity of collection materials. Nearly every collector has seen examples of shelved NGMs on which the yellow ink on the spine is much paler than the cover. Light falling onto the spine has caused the ink to fade, whereas the cover, which is usually protected by the magazine in front of it, has stayed bright.

Pollutants and biological agents in the air and in the collection can also adversely effect archival materials. Dirt, dust and other solid particles can damage an issue both through abrasive action and by causing chemical change.

Disasters pose the greatest threat to collections. The results are immediate, calamitous and dramatic, unlike the slow and insidious process of deterioration that takes place in boxes and on shelves. Even a small flood, resulting in water damage to the NGMs, can ruin all or part of a valuable collection.