Air
quality is a museum priority because air pollution from the emissions of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause corrosion, discoloration, surface
instability, dust, distortion, and cracking of historical artifacts. Sources of
VOCs are outdoor pollutants such as auto emissions and industrial contaminates
or indoor pollutants such as interior decorations, display materials,
artifacts and visitors. Plastics, wood, adhesives, polyurethane foams,
carpeting, and paint can contaminate the air by offgassing peroxide, chlorine,
formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, carboxylic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, sulphur
and plasticizers. Even breath vapor and perfumes from visitors are considered
volatile organic compounds! We already knew that.
To
reduce the rate of emissions of volatile organic compounds, museums control
temperature, lighting, ventilation and humidity with high tech HVAC and air
filtration systems. The J. Paul Getty Museum's air is exchanged and re-filtered
six times per hour. Most museums also monitor the VOC levels of materials used
for displays, lighting and other interior design elements. Even historical artifacts are
tested for VOC offgassing and rejected by some museums if they don't meet air
quality standards as these emissions may contaminate and corrode other
artifacts.
Air
filtration and air quality control is good news for chemically sensitive
people. Museums, however, welcome all visitors and do not restricting the wearing of
perfumes and scents (YET!) so take precautions. Go during off hours and less-popular
days to avoid crowds. Don't be tempted by art openings or special events when
perfume-wearing high society may attend. Avoid days offering free admission or school visiting days when smelly
classroom groups will contaminate the galleries. Many museums are in urban
areas so be cautious about traffic exhaust.
Museums
to avoid at all costs:
Annette
Green Perfume Museum (Los Angeles)
Museum
of Fragrance (New York City)
Fragonard
Perfume Museum (Paris)
Farina
Fragrance Museum (Cologne)
Perfume Museum (Barcelona)
Dutch Museum of Perfume Bottles (Netherlands)
I
love being in art museums alone. Wandering through the large galleries without
distraction, having the artworks to myself without having to wait for someone
to move out of the way, and not having to share the wonderful, clean air with stinky people is a treat. Museums are one of the few indoor
entertainment venues with quality indoor air suitable for someone with multiple
chemical sensitivity.
