The composition of museum atmospheres

Indoor air pollution: Effects on cultural and historic materials

Air quality monitoring in a museum for preventive conservation: Results of a three-year study in the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp, Belgium

Two multidisciplinary field surveys, one in winter and the other in summer, have monitored the indoor microclimate, the air pollution, the deposition and origin of the suspended particulate matter and the microorganisms of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. These surveys were part of a European project aimed at identifying potential environmental risks for conservation in museums. Experimental methodologies were refined within this study. The project underscores pros and cons of the heating ventilating and air conditioning system, proposing a more effective filtration, since the system seemed to worsen indoor pollution. The impact of mass tourism during a special exhibition was investigated, showing that even a good ventilation is unable to deal with the heat and moisture released by huge crowds. The sources of gaseous and particulate pollution were discussed. Microbiological investigations identified a considerable load of bacteria. The cleaning of paintings by brush is-shown to resuspend a considerable amount of particles, which are free to deposit again on the paintings.

Multidisciplinary Environmental Monitoring at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Cp 25e – reaction of fabrics made from synthetic fibers to air contaminated with nitrogen dioxide, ozone, or sulfur dioxide: la reaction des tissus polymeres a l'air contamine par no2, par ozone, ou par so2

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Tove Aas Wang Molvig

Papers

The Effect of Air Pollutants on Cotton