INEGI integrates network dedicated to Indoor Air Quality in Museums, Libraries and Archives

INEGI recently joined the Portuguese-Brazilian network "Indoor Air Quality in Museums, Libraries and Archives" (QAI-MBA), led by the Research Center in Science and Technology of the Arts (CITAR) of the Catholic University.

This multidisciplinary network is made up of academic and memory institutions (museums, libraries and archives), whose common interest is research, heritage preservation, and the monitoring and studies of Indoor Air Quality. Its mission is to share knowledge on volatile pollutants harmful to movable heritage, with the aim of preserving and preventing damage.

As Gabriela Ventura, researcher at INEGI in the area of ​​Indoor Air Quality, explains, "in addition to adverse effects on health and the environment, air pollution is also harmful to various materials, and objects displayed in museums, libraries and archives are especially susceptible ”.

Indoor air quality, temperature and humidity are important factors to prevent deterioration, but, warns the researcher, the surrounding materials to be used must also be taken into account. "Adhesives, supports and separators made with agglomerates of wood or plaster, can emit pollutants that can react with the materials of the works that we intend to protect, damaging them, as evidenced by several published studies".

This, and other topics, have been discussed in a series of monthly webinars promoted by the QAI-MBA network, whose first session took place in July. On September 30th, at 5:30 pm, it will be INEGI's turn, represented by Gabriela Ventura. Participation is free, upon registration via email redetematica.qai.mba@gmail.com.