The Environment and Deterioration Research Division of the Canadian Conservation Institute is currently undertaking an extensive research project on adhesives used in conservation. Literature searches and discussions with conservators across Canada have disclosed the adhesives currently in use in conservation, problems encountered in using these adhesives and what questions are the most important to have answered. Questions often encountered are: How does an adhesive behave with time? What are the effects of humidity, light and heat on an adhesive? Does it turn yellow or darken? Does it produce unpleasant and dangerous by-products? Does one commercially available product of the same type react the same way as another product? Is one product better than another? We are currently trying to answer many of these questions. The classes of adhesives are being taken one at a time and the most important problems are being investigated. Already, a study on the yellowing of Epoxy Resin Adhesives is nearing completion and research into Animal Glues and Polyvinyl Acetate Adhesives is beginning. The latter is the topic of this paper.