Investigations of Museum Indoor Microclimate and Air Quality. Case Study from Romania

Abstract

Poor air quality inside museums is one of the main causes influencing the state of conservation of exhibits. Even if they are mostly placed in a controlled environment because of their construction materials, the exhibits can be very vulnerable to the influence of the internal microclimate. As a consequence, museum exhibits must be protected from potential negative effects. In order to prevent and stop the process of damage of the exhibits, monitoring the main parameters of the microclimate (especially temperature, humidity, and brightness) and keeping them in strict values is extremely important. The present study refers to the investigations and analysis of air quality inside a museum, located in a heritage building, from Romania. The paper focuses on monitoring and analysing temperature of air and walls, relative humidity (RH), CO2, brightness and particulate matters (PM), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The monitoring was carried out in the Summer–Autumn 2020 Campaign, in two different exhibition areas (first floor and basement) and the main warehouse where the exhibits are kept and restored. The analyses aimed both at highlighting the hazard induced by the poor air quality inside the museum that the exhibits face. The results show that this environment is potentially harmful to both exposed items and people. Therefore, the number of days in which the ideal conditions in terms of temperature and RH are met are quite few, the concentration of suspended particles, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds often exceed the limit allowed by the international standards in force. The results represent the basis for the development and implementation of strategies for long-term conservation of exhibits and to ensure a clean environment for employees, restorers, and visitors.

Microbiological, Health and Comfort Aspects of Indoor Air Quality in a Romanian Historical Wooden Church

“…Microbiological contamination and its implications on cultural heritage frescoes were studied by Radu et al [34], Mohanu et al [35], Bucsa and Bucsa [36] and Ilies , et al [37]. Further, other relevant studies focus on the determination of fungal contamination and microclimatic problems in museums [13,[38][39][40][41], sport halls [42,43] or schools [44][45][46]. These studies have shown that among the most common fungi that can be identified in the old wooden churches on the Romanian territory are Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Arthrinium spp., Stachybotrys spp., Scopulariopsis spp., Penicillium spp., Absidia spp., Geotrichum spp.…”

Museal Indoor Air Quality and Public Health: An Integrated Approach for Exhibits Preservation and Ensuring Human Health

“…For the evaluation of the attack and risk to which the museum heritage items are exposed to and not only, it is necessary to perform the assessment of the microbial load both on the surface of the item as well as in the air of the room where it is stored or exhibited within the museum etc. [19].…”

“…On the other hand, an inadequate indoor microclimate can affect the health of visitors, restorers and staff working in the museum [19,20]. This is extremely important considering that museums are usually crowded places that attract visitors belonging to all age categories, some of them implying a high degree of vulnerability (especially children and elderly).…”

“…The history exhibition includes numismatic pieces belonging to the Palaeolithic, Middle Ages and the Roman occupation period, while the ethnography exhibition is made up of the items which depict the traditions and crafts practiced throughout history in the land of Beius [52]. The interior microclimate and the museum exhibits were previously the subject of study of two scientific studies [19,53]. In Ilies et al [19], the emphasis is on determining the main parameters of the indoor microclimate in the period June-October 2020 (15 weeks).…”

“…The interior microclimate and the museum exhibits were previously the subject of study of two scientific studies [19,53]. In Ilies et al [19], the emphasis is on determining the main parameters of the indoor microclimate in the period June-October 2020 (15 weeks).…”