TSG Chapter III. Environmental Concerns for Textiles - Section B. Air Quality

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Originally drafted by Sarah C. Stevens. Contributions from: Mary Ballard, Lucy Commoner, Shirley Ellis, Robin Hanson, Irene Karsten, Richard Kerschner, Teresa Knutson, Anne Murray, Zoe Annis Perkins, Patty Silence, Jan Vuori.Editors: Kathy Francis, Mary Kaldany, Nancy Love, Nancy Pollak, Deborah Lee Trupin. Copy Editor/Layout Consultant: Jessica S. Brown. Original content date: April 2, 1998.
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==Air Quality==
===Factors to consider===
:Particulate soils: Dust, dirt, grit, etc.
 
::Sources of particulate soils
 
:::*Soils are brought in from the outside by people, through open windows, and by insufficiently filtered HVAC systems.
 
:::*Within a building, carpeting and standard acoustical ceiling tiles are sources of particulate matter.
 
:::*Construction, renovation, or exhibit building projects within the museum generate particulate soils.
 
::Problems and damage from particulate soils
 
:::*Soiling can be visually disturbing.
 
:::*Soils may attract and hold moisture and lead to growth of biological organisms.
 
:::*Abrasiveness of soils can result in mechanical damage.
 
:::*The combination of acidic particulate soils and high RH may accelerate damage in acid-sensitive textiles.
 
:Gaseous pollutants: acidic gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, or oxidants such as ozone
 
::Sources of gaseous pollution
 
:::*Vehicular exhaust and burning of fossil fuels in power stations are usually more of a problem in urban and industrial areas than in rural areas.
 
:::*Gaseous pollution within buildings come from various sources.
 
:::Damaging volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are generated from many building materials, such as vinyl flooring, carpeting and carpet pads, urea formaldehyde-containing wood products, adhesives, paints, gasketing materials, plastics, fabric finishes, and some cleaning products.
 
:::*Gaseous pollutants can come from kitchen exhaust systems.
 
:::*Gaseous pollutants may come from heating systems, especially oil-fired furnaces or boilers.
 
:::*Ozone can come from electrostatic precipitators in the building’s HVAC system, electronic air cleaners, laser printers, and photocopy machines.
 
:::*Gaseous pollutants inside cases are usually generated by the case materials, but can also come from the object(s) displayed in the case.
 
::Problems and damage from gaseous pollutants
 
:::*Gaseous pollutants can alter the pH of an artifact, thereby contributing to fiber breakdown.
 
:::*Gaseous pollutants can alter dyes.
 
:::*Damage from gaseous pollutants can be accelerated by high RH.
===Preventive methods===
:Reduce particulate and gaseous pollutants entering the building by using particulate and gaseous filters on HVAC systems/units.
 
:Carefully select all building and exhibit materials and finishes to be nonpolluting, ideally working with a museum environmental consultant or selecting “green” architectural products.
 
:Protect textiles within the building from pollutants and particulates.
 
:Use good housekeeping methods.
 
:::*Use HEPA vacuums to maintain galleries and storage areas.
 
:::*Use door mats at entrances to reduce dirt from shoes.
 
:::*Remove carpeting from galleries. If carpeting must be used, static-reducing carpets (that test below 3.5 kv) are a better choice.
 
:::*Clean dust mops after use; use HEPA vacuum to clean the mops.
 
:::*Do not use brooms or sweeping motions.
 
:Keep all stored textiles in closed storage containers/furniture. See VIII.B: Storage Furniture and VIII.C: Storage Materials	
:Display textiles in cases or glazed frames whenever possible.
 
:::*Microclimates can be created within sealed frames that contain RH-buffering media as well as pollutant/corrosion scavengers.
 
:::*Use and maintain air filters and/or pollution scavengers in exhibition cases.
 
:::*Anaerobic or anoxic environments may be created for special situations but are usually reserved for insect eradication.
 
:If textiles are on open display, avoid placing them in direct air currents (e.g., incoming or return air vents).
===Further Reading===
Appelbaum, B. 1991. Guide to environmental protection of collections. Madison, Conn.: Sound View Press.
Canadian Conservation Institute. 1992. Textiles and the environment. CCI Notes 13/1. Ottawa, Ontario,Canada: Canadian Heritage.
Finch, K., and G. Putnam. 1977. Caring for textiles. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.
Giuntini, C. 1992. Storage of historic fabrics and costumes. In Conservation concerns: A guide for collectors and curators. Ed. K. Bachmann. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Grzywacz, C. M. Monitoring for gaseous pollutants in museum environments. 2006. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Guldbeck, P. E. 1985. The care of antiques and historical collections. 2d ed. Revised and expanded by A. B. MacLeish. Nashville: American Association for State and Local History.
Hatchfield, P. B. 2002. Pollutants in the museum environment: Practical strategies for problem solving in design, exhibition and storage. London: Archetype Publications.
Mailand, H. F., and D. S. Alig. 1999. Preserving textiles: A guide for the nonspecialist. Indianapolis: Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Ogden, S. 2000. Temperature, relative humidity, light, and air quality: Basic guidelines for preservation. Andover, Mass.: Northeast Document Conservation Center.
Orlofsky, P. 1992. Textile conservation. In Conservation concerns: A guide for collectors and curators. Ed.K. Bachmann. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Sandwith, H., and S. Stainton, comps. 2006. The National Trust manual of housekeeping: The care of collections in historic houses open to the public. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Tétrault, J. 2003. Airborne pollutants in museums, galleries, and archives: Risk assessment, control strategies, and preservation management. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Heritage.
Thomson, G. 1986. The museum environment. 2d ed. London: Butterworths.
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