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

Zlatev

et al. 2022

Sensors

Self Cite

The old fibers that make up heritage textiles displayed in museums are degraded by the aging process, environmental conditions (microclimates, particulate matter, pollutants, sunlight) and the action of microorganisms. In order to counteract these processes and keep the textile exhibits in good condition for as long as possible, both reactive and preventive interventions on them are necessary. Based on these ideas, the present study aims to test a natural and non-invasive method of cleaning historic textiles, which includes the use of a natural substance with a known antifungal effect (being traditionally used in various rural communities)—lye. The design of the study was aimed at examining a traditional women’s shirt that is aged between 80–100 years, using artificial intelligence techniques for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imagery analysis and X-Ray powder diffraction technique in order to achieve a complex and accurate investigation and monitoring of the object’s realities. The determinations were performed both before and after washing the material with lye. SEM microscopy investigations of the ecologically washed textile specimens showed that the number of microorganism colonies, as well as the amount of dust, decreased. It was also observed that the surface cellulose fibers lost their integrity, eventually being loosened on cellulose fibers of cotton threads. This could better visualize the presence of microfibrils that connect the cellulose fibers in cotton textiles. The results obtained could be of real value both for the restorers, the textile collections of the different museums, and for the researchers in the field of cultural heritage. By applying such a methodology, cotton tests can be effectively cleaned without compromising the integrity of the material.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interdisciplinary Research to Advance Digital Imagery and Natural Compounds for Eco-Cleaning and for Preserving Textile Cultural Heritage

Zlatev

et al. 2022

Sensors

Self Cite

“…An additional stress can be introduced both regarding the conservation of artifacts and human health by the combined action of indoor pollutants and microbiological factors (bacteria and fungi) [ 123 , 124 ]. Recent studies in the field [ 125 , 126 , 127 ] associate non-compliant values of internal microclimate indicators with the proliferation of bacteriological microflora in the air and on objects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Interior Microclimate in Art Nouveau Heritage Buildings for the Protection of Exhibits and Human Health

Caciora

Marcu

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

Poor air quality inside museums can have a double effect; on the one hand, influencing the integrity of the exhibits and on the other hand, endangering the health of employees and visitors. Both components can be very sensitive to the influence of the internal microclimate, therefore careful monitoring of the physical parameters and pollutants is required in order to maintain them within strict limits and thus to reduce the hazards that can be induced. The current study considers the determination and analysis of 15 indicators of the internal microclimate in an Art Nouveau museum built at the beginning of the 20th century in the Municipality of Oradea, Romania. The monitoring spanned a period of seven months, between September 2021 and March 2022, targeting three rooms of the museum with different characteristics and containing exhibits with a high degree of fragility. The results show that, although there are numerous indicators that have exceeded the thresholds induced by international standards, the possible negative impact on the exhibits and/or on human health remains moderate. This is due to the fact that, most of the time, exceeding the permitted limits are small or only sporadic, the values quickly returning to the permitted limits. Thus, only 22 of the 212 days of monitoring recorded marginal conditions regarding the quality of the indoor air, the rest having acceptable and good conditions. To improve the indoor conditions, a more careful management is needed, especially regarding the values of temperature, humidity, particulate matters, natural and artificial light, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO), which during the measurements recorded high values that fluctuated in a wide spectrum. The obtained results can represent the basis for the development and implementation of long-term strategies for stabilizing the microclimatic conditions in the museum in order to preserve the exhibits preventively and to ensure a clean and safe environment for people.

“…It is environmentally non-threatening and does not harm the fabrics’ base materials. Lye and silver nanoparticles both have antibacterial/fungal capabilities, which led to the discovery that bacterial colonies were decreased by more than 95%, and the effects would last for a considerable amount of time ( Ilies et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Conservation Of Plant Origin Organic Deteriorated Archaeolog...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The prevention of fungal contamination of interior objects and indoor air directly related to visitors’ and employees’ health, requires careful microclimate management within storage or display halls, together with microbiological monitoring, green bioremediation and cleaning procedures ( Ilies et al, 2022 ). The visual examination was used to assess the fungal degradation elements of historical artifacts, including color change, brittleness, weakness and erosion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New frontiers review of some recent conservation techniques of organic and inorganic archaeological artefacts against microbial deterioration

Geweely

2023

Front. Microbiol.

The information on the advances and technology of some recent conservation methods (2020–2023) of organic and inorganic archaeological objects against microbial deterioration is recorded. An outline of comparative new protective methods for conserving plant-origin organic artefacts {Fibers (manuscripts, textile) and wood}, animal-origin organic artefacts (painting, parchment and mummies) and inorganic stone artefacts were investigated. The work not only contributes to the development of safe revolutionary ways for more efficient safe conservation of items of historical and cultural worth but also serves as a significant diagnostic signature for detecting the sorts of microbial identification and incidents in antiques. Biological technologies (environmentally friendly green biocides) are the most used recent, efficient and safe strategy acceptable as alternatives to stop microbial deterioration and prevent any potential interactions between the biological agent and the artefacts. Also, a synergistic effect of combining natural biocides with mechanical cleaning or chemical treatments was suggested. The recommended exploration techniques should be considered for future applications.