Open AccessMonitoring pollutant gases in museum microclimates: a relevant preventive conservation strategy
Author(s) -
Karen Cristine Almeida Barbosa,
Teresa Ferreira,
Paula Moreira,
Eduarda Vieira
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservar património/conservar património
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 2182-9942
pISSN - 1646-043X
DOI - 10.14568/2020069
Subject(s) - pollutant , microclimate , environmental science , atmosphere (unit) , air pollutants , environmental chemistry , environmental protection , air pollution , archaeology , geography , chemistry , meteorology , organic chemistry
Exposure to an atmosphere rich in volatile pollutants can endanger collections in museums, galleries, libraries or archives. Monitoring volatile pollutants in museum microclimates remains an unusual practice in most institutions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released by many sources, including the artefacts’ materials themselves. The presence of pollutants in an enclosed space with poor ventilation, adding to high temperature and relative humidity levels or significant fluctuations, may increase the risk of damage for the more susceptible materials. The tendency observed in museums to enclose artefacts in vitrines or boxes may contribute to the formation of microclimates with high VOCs concentration. Based on the studies developed in the last decades, this work intends to draw attention to the risks associated with gaseous pollutants in museum environment and outline some recommendations that encourage cultural heritage institutions to implement a pollutant monitoring plan associated with risk prevention.