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

Alexandru Ilieș, Tudor Caciora (), Florin Marcu, Zharas Berdenov, Gabriela Ilieș, Bahodirhon Safarov, Nicolaie Hodor, Vasile Grama, Maisa Ali Al Shomali, Dorina Camelia Ilies, Ovidiu Gaceu, Monica Costea and Damiannah Kieti
Additional contact information
Alexandru Ilieș: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Tudor Caciora: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Florin Marcu: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 10 Piata, 1 Decembrie Street, 410073 Oradea, Romania
Zharas Berdenov: Faculty of Science, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Street, Nur-Sultan 010008, Kazakhstan
Gabriela Ilieș: Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Sighetu Marmatiei Extension, 6 Avram Iancu Street, 435500 Sighetu Marmatiei, Romania
Bahodirhon Safarov: Department of Digital Economy, Samarkand State University, Samarkand 140104, Uzbekistan
Nicolaie Hodor: Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, 5-6 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Vasile Grama: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Maisa Ali Al Shomali: Faculty of Engineering, Al-Balqa Applied University, P.O. Box 15008, Marka 11134, Jordan
Dorina Camelia Ilies: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Ovidiu Gaceu: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Street, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Monica Costea: Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, Gen Magheru Street, 410048 Oradea, Romania
Damiannah Kieti: School of Tourism, Hospitality & Events Management, Department of Tourism, Moi University, Kesses, Eldoret 3900-30100, Kenya

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-26

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: indoor air quality; cultural heritage; museum microclimate; preventive conservation; human health; risk assessment; pollutants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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