Chemical–physical and Microbiological Measurements for Indoor Air Quality Assessment at the Ca’ Granda Historical Archive, Milan (Italy)

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 2009-07, Vol.201 (1-4), p.109-120
• Main Authors: Cappitelli, Francesca, Fermo, Paola, Vecchi, Roberta, Piazzalunga, Andrea, Valli, Gianluigi, Zanardini, Elisabetta, Sorlini, Claudia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 12th century; Acidity; Air pollution; Air quality; Air quality assessments; Air quality measurements; Air temperature; Applied sciences; Archives & records; Atmospheric pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bacteria; Buildings. Public works; Carbon; Carbon sources; Chemical composition; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Cultural heritage; Earth and Environmental Science; Energy; Environment; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fungi; Gaseous pollutants; guidelines; Heterotrophic bacteria; Historical account; Houses; Housing; Humidity; Hydrogeology; Indoor air; Indoor air pollution; Indoor air quality; Indoor environments; Indoor pollution and occupational exposure; Libraries; Microbiological studies; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Museums; Nitrogen dioxide; Outdoor air quality; Ozone; Particle size; Particulate atmospheric pollution; Particulate matter; Particulates; Pollutants; Pollution; Pollution indoor buildings; Pollution monitoring; Potential energy; Preservation; Quality control; Relative humidity; Residential areas; Soil contamination; Soil pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Studies; Sulfur dioxide; Temperature; Temperature effects; Traffic; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Water Quality/Water Pollution
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-008-9931-5

In a few cases, atmospheric particulate matter characterization was taken into account together with aerobiological monitoring but never in an archive. The aim of this study was to estimate the air quality, by means of both chemical–physical and microbiological studies, at the Ca’ Granda Historical Archive (Milan, Italy) that houses an important collection of documents from the 12th century. Temperature and relative humidity were measured in the rooms. Particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were quantified and the chemical composition, in terms of ionic components, elements, and carbonaceous fraction (total, organic, and elemental carbon) determined. The gaseous pollutants NO 2 , SO 2 , and O 3 and indoor acidity were also measured. Aerobiological monitoring (aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi) was performed as volumes stored in the Archive were composed of organic materials, a potential energy and carbon source. In this paper, we present our findings and propose some guidelines for a better preservation of the documents.