Interactions of VOCs with Classical Pigments on Canvas and Glass Supports

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have been proven to be harmful for human health and problematic in urban areas. These compounds are present in museums and there is not much knowledge about the influence of these VOCs on works of art. In this work, the effects of six pollutants proved to be in considerable concentrations at museums indoor air were studied. For the study, we use three pigments, Malachite, Viridian Green and Hematite. We were preparing two types of support for each pigment, glass and canvas, with a substratum of lead carbonate, titanium oxide and none. A blank mount with each of the substratum is also added to see the progression. The samples are placed in hermetical containers with controlled humidity and temperature with saturated atmosphere of Xylene (1), Acetic acid (2), Formaldehyde (3), Oxime (4), Formic Acid (5) and Hexanal (6). A Control (0) was used in the study. Three measurements of reflectance of the samples are taken during the 28 days of experiment, one before starting and other at day 14 and finally at the end of it. The results showed the interactions of VOCs with the pigments, changed the colours of Malachite and Lead White. The presence of VOCs in the indoor air of the museum is important factor to considerate in the conservation of the cultural heritage.