# A Survey of Electromagnetic Techniques Applied to Cultural Heritage Conservation
## 5. Conclusions and Future Prospective  
For preserving CH for future generations, the capability to recover and increase the durability of works of art is fundamental. EM techniques may be of the greatest help, combining effectiveness and safety. The main obstacles to the widespread use of these techniques are distrust of their applications and a lack of standards.  
Regarding the first point, the distrust towards these techniques is mostly related to a lack of knowledge. When compared to more traditional techniques like chemical methods, irradiation techniques are safer, and the results are long-lasting. Dissemination of knowledge will probably be the best solution to this issue. Regarding the second point, the lack of a reference point for accessing scientific information in preserving CH, and the need for official standards and best practices to which the different actors involved in the conservation of CH may refer, is outlined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [14; 35]:  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Aging Factor Typology**} \\ \hline
**Physical** & **Chemical** & **Mechanical** \\ \hline Oxidative breakdown & Catalyzation of hydrolytic & \\ of collagen & degradation of collagen & \\ Photochemical & Pollutants & Temperature and humidity \\ deterioration of collagen & Metallic ions & fluctuation 1  \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 7: Principle leather aging factors [14; 105].  
* \"There is broad agreement across networks that although attention is paid to the dissemination of sound scientific developments [...] improvements can be made in terms of bringing the results to where they have the most impact\" [14] (Introduction, p. 2, (c) IAEA [[https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation](https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation)]([https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation](https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation)) (accessed on 2 January 2025));
* \"Besides networking, there is a continuous need for establishing good practice procedures and standards in the field of safeguarding cultural artifacts\" [14] (Introduction, pp. 1-2, (c) IAEA [[https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation](https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation)]([https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation](https://www.iaea.org/publications/10937/uses-of-ionizing-radiation-for-tangible-cultural-heritage-conservation)) (accessed on 2 January 2025));  
Experience gathered in recent decades all over the world has proven the validity of applying EM irradiation techniques for the conservation of CH artifacts. Further developments will surely arise if actions are taken to convert distrust into conscious trust through knowledge acquisition.  
Investigation, methodology, data curation, conceptualization, selecting and organizing referenced paper with writing--original draft preparation, P.P.; writing--review and editing, R.C. and F.M., review and supervision, F.F. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research received no external funding.  
Not applicable.  
No new data were created.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.