New technologies for microclimatic and indoor air quality analysis for the protection of cultural heritage: Case studies of the classense library and "tamo," the museum of mosaics at Ravenna

Abstract

In recent decades, analysis and monitoring of the concentration of indoor pollutants and the microclimate has become more important; the reasons for this interest can be found in the fact that people spend a great deal of their time in confined environments. Furthermore, detailed assessment of the consequences of exposure to air pollutants requires considering concentrations of indoor pollutants. In fact, general indoor microclimatic conditions (i.e., temperature, relative humidity, lighting, pollutant concentration) play an important role in all aspects related to the conservation of works of art and cultural heritage housed in museums, galleries and libraries. In this paper, we present two case studies focused on the application of new methodologies for microclimatic and indoor air quality analysis, specifically devoted to preventive conservation and the enhancement of cultural heritage. In particular, we will describe some case studies in which modern and up-to-date technologies for the monitoring of microclimatic conditions have been applied to study the characteristics of two important monuments in Ravenna: the Biblioteca Classense and the "TAMO" mosaic museum. In particular, in both of these cases, we have used new portable testers for recording indoor thermo-hygrometric conditions and newly developed passive samplers for monitoring indoor and outdoor air pollution concentrations. In this article, we specifically describe the characteristics and main innovative peculiarities of the new instruments we have adopted for these measurement campaigns, devoted to the characterization of the indoor microclimatic conditions and to the evaluation of the so-called environment-work of the art system.