Canada’s changing climate, with more frequent and intense wildfires, longer-lasting seasons, and urban pollution containing gases like ozone and sulfur dioxide, as well as particulates such as dust and soot, poses a threat to cultural artifacts, historic buildings, and museums. This article will demonstrate how gaseous and particulate pollutants can be controlled and what can be done to halt degradation and destruction at museums and cultural institutions, thereby protecting the indoor environment through the use of the best available air filtration.
Threats to Canadian museums and cultural institutions
Wildfire smoke: Wildfire smoke and soot deposit acidic particles—such as sulfuric, nitric, carbonic, and organic acids—on cultural materials. These particles form during the combustion of organic matter and chemical reactions with VOCs and pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This causes corrosion and material damage to cultural materials such as paintings, paper-based art or writings, and fabrics. Wooden structures and archives are also at risk from the intense heat of wildfires.
Humidity fluctuations: The changing Canadian climate results in rapid humidity changes, presenting challenges such as increased flooding and the accumulation of sea salts in some areas, leading to the decay of materials like mould, paper, leather, wood, and textiles, as well as the warping of art.
Air pollution: Museums and art galleries must contend with air pollution such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. According to the Government of Canada Publications, these pollutants react with materials, causing “corrosion and discolouration as well as the embrittlement of organic matter.” These pollutants can also corrode metals.
Properly protecting museums, historic centres, and galleries
The sources of contamination are both external (outdoor) and internal (indoor). Outdoor sources include industrial emissions and vehicle emissions. Indoor sources include building and furnishing materials that emit VOCs, display cases and storage units that trap and concentrate gaseous emissions, as well as VOCs from cleaning and restorative products. Artifacts can also emit reactive gases and can damage other nearby materials. Finally, building staff and visitors emit organic products such as skin cells, carbon dioxide, and ammonia.
Protecting galleries, museums, and historic centres involves going beyond dust capture in air filtration to include the control of gaseous pollutants and humidity.
How Advanced Filtration Preserves Art and Artifacts
High-quality air filtration is a crucial consideration for protecting displays and artifacts. High-efficiency air filters, such as a minimum of a properly tested MERV 13A particulate filter, preferably a MERV 15A or MERV 16A if the air handling unit allows, and a HEPA system in areas of high volatility, such as those with delicate materials.
Molecular filtration is also required because many of the pollutants that damage art and artifacts are corrosive gases such as SO₂, NO₂, ozone, and organic acids.
The Importance of Museum and Gallery Filtration
In museums and cultural institutions, air filtration is critical for:
- Artifact and Archives Preservation: Removing gaseous pollutants (like sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and ozone) prevents the blackening of paintings, corrosion of bronzes, and deterioration of paper/textile materials.
- Human Health: Providing clean air protects both the staff and visitors from harmful particulates and molecular contaminants that can cause respiratory issues and eye irritation.
- Controlling Environmental Factors: High-efficiency particulate and molecular filters help maintain the crucial balance of temperature and relative humidity required for artifact conservation.
Canadian Challenges: Pollution, Wildfire Smoke, and Seasonal Shifts
Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal face wildfire smoke infiltration, urban emissions from factories and vehicle traffic, and cold-weather heating cycles with significant variations, which threaten collections and building air handling systems, as well as the structures themselves.
Wildfire smoke produces fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and acidic gases that can penetrate air handlers, settling on artworks and artifacts, and chemically reacting with materials, causing major damage. When smoke levels are high, outdoor air intake should be minimized and air filtration efficiency increased—MERV 13A or higher, along with advanced molecular filters. Exhibit cases should be sealed to prevent contamination, and vulnerable items should be sealed in microclimates with integrated filters to ensure maximum protection.
Cities often situated close to wildfires, such as Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria, must take additional measures to prevent damage to materials. However, recently, cities as far away as Toronto, Montreal, and even Halifax have experienced a significant amount of wildfire smoke that can cause harm.
Cold-weather heating cycles in Eastern and Central Canada, especially, can cause rapid fluctuations in temperatures and humidity, which can damage hygroscopic materials. Rapid fluctuations in relative humidity (RH) can cause cracking and damage to wooden materials, canvases, and paper-based objects.
Air quality monitoring and humidity control, along with robust air filtration systems, are crucial for preservation in museums, galleries, and cultural centres.
Vehicle exhaust and commercial and industrial activities in urban centres across Canada produce harmful emissions. Pollutants accelerate corrosion, paper acidification, and pigment fading. Intake vents should be located away from traffic corridors.
Best practices for Canadian facilities
Canadian museums follow guidelines from the Canadian Heritage Information Network and the Canadian Conservation Institute. There are no specific CSA standards for museums and galleries. ASHRAE guidelines define acceptable temperature, humidity, and pollutant levels for museums and galleries.
The Role of Molecular Air Filtration
Camfil offers molecular filters for museums and galleries, featuring products such as cylindrical filters and panel filters that utilize activated carbon to remove corrosive gases, as well as for general ventilation. Other options include specialized filters for vitrines. These filters protect delicate objects, removing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. Molecular filters are crucial for preservation of articles in galleries, museums, and cultural heritage sites, because standard ventilation filters do not remove gaseous particles that can damage artworks and artifacts.
CamCarb products
CamCarb panels are filters that can be filled with different types of activated carbon or other special materials. They work well to improve indoor air quality and can be easily added to most existing systems.
CamCarb VG is a molecular filtration solution designed for corrosion control in general ventilation systems, such as those found in museums and galleries.
Camfil CamCarb XG is a conical-shaped molecular (gas-phase) corrosion-resistant air filter that protects sensitive materials from gaseous contaminants. It uses activated carbon and activated alumina to trap airborne chemicals, preventing corrosion, discoloration, and decay.
The design maximizes the surface area of the adsorbent media, resulting in high removal efficiency and a longer filter lifespan. It creates a low-pressure drop, significantly reducing the energy required for the air handling system. It removes ozone, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It targets pollutants like vehicle emissions and internal contaminants, including off-gassing from the artifacts themselves. It also manages temperature, humidity, and light levels.
CamCarb for vitrines can be integrated into display cases to protect artifacts from VOCs and corrosive gases.
Other filters
- GigaPleat: These molecular filters for cleanroom AHUs and housings are designed for high cleanliness to target airborne molecular contamination (AMC).
- CamCleaner CC400: This versatile air cleaner can be configured with different combinations of particulate or molecular filters.
- HiFlo ES for excellent particulate removal with a low average pressure drop, promoting energy savings and longevity.
- Durafil ES3 for great particulate removal with low average pressure drop for energy savings and extended life.
- 30/30 Dual 9 to remove larger particles and protect final filters. Known for longevity and energy savings.
Energy Efficiency and Operational Savings
To reduce operational costs and energy usage in museums and cultural institutions, Camfil offers designs engineered to achieve these goals. For example, Camcarb XG enhances energy efficiency by decreasing a fan’s energy consumption by up to 35% through its conical design. It also reduces average pressure drop over the entire life of the filter and enables better airflow. The design extends the filter’s lifespan and lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) by lowering energy, labour, and disposal expenses. Furthermore, it results in a reduced carbon footprint and improved efficiency, making it a cost-effective and lower-carbon-output solution.
Case Studies
Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
Camfil worked with the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, which houses over 1.3 million objects and has a large exhibition space, to address significant air quality challenges.
Challenges Faced
Moving and cleaning art generated a significant source of particles and gases, leading to health issues such as breathing difficulties, nausea, and eye irritation.
Dust-binding light metals were found in high concentrations.
Outdoor pollution and visitor-generated activities, such as flash photography, were contributing to high ozone emissions, which can damage organic materials like paper and textiles.
The existing ventilation system caused severe dust turbulence, settling dust, and dirt on artifacts. The restoration work generated additional dust and particles.
Camfil Solutions
Air Quality Testing: Camfil first conducted thorough air quality tests to determine the precise nature and level of pollutants present.
Particulate and Molecular Filtration: Camfil recommended a combination of solutions with particulate and molecular filtration for exhibition areas and specific problem spots.
CamCleaner 2000: The CC2000 features HEPA filters and activated carbon filter cartridges designed to target problematic gases, including ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
CamCleaner 800: The museum had 60 smaller CamCleaner 800 units installed throughout the display rooms, corridors, and reception areas to manage general air quality and dust created by foot traffic and building use.
Air Filtration Role at the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery houses centuries-old artwork that is highly sensitive to airborne pollutants that can cause damage. Camfil supplied customized molecular air filtration systems featuring activated carbon technology to remove gaseous contaminants, in conjunction with high-efficiency particulate filters, to control particulate pollution indoors.
Products Used
The products used were CamCarb CG cylinders and Hi-Flo ES and Durafil ES, which combine high dust-holding capacity with low pressure drop. Activated carbon and molecular media in these systems capture corrosive gases and VOCs generated internally, as well as pollutants entering from the surrounding urban environment.
Preservation and Sustainability Impact
Camfil is committed to sustainability by focusing on low energy use and longer-lasting filters that create less waste, while keeping both artifacts and staff, as well as visitors, safe. The British Library in London and the Moderna Museet in Stockholm feature similar air quality solutions to help protect materials in these carefully managed environments.
How to Choose the Right Air Filtration System
Choosing the right air filtration system involves analysis of the pollutants present in the building or external environment. After identifying the pollutants that must be targeted, particulate and gaseous, a suitable filtration system can be designed and installed. The next step is to select the correct filter rating for your museum or gallery and determine optimal replacement cycles—not replacing filters before or after the optimal changeout time.
Testing and design, in collaboration with an air filter expert, are crucial in achieving the goals of providing excellent air quality to preserve artifacts and artworks, as well as to improve the health of staff and visitors. It is also imperative to identify methods and products that can help reduce operational costs.
Consult Camfil’s air quality specialists to achieve your goals and to protect buildings, displays, and collections.
Conclusion
Advanced air filtration plays a crucial role in preserving cultural artifacts and artworks, as well as protecting buildings. Canada’s urban and rural pollution, extreme weather, and humidity fluctuations, along with dust and soot from seasonal wildfire smoke, present unique challenges for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. Heritage facilities require both particulate filtration and molecular filtration to wholistically protect buildings, artifacts, and people from pollutants. Getting an IAQ audit is a good first step in achieving proper air filtration.
Contact Camfil Canada
Camfil’s air filtration experts can help you improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) by addressing regional challenges and operational needs. Whether you seek to control hazardous emissions or improve the IAQ in your workplace, Camfil can help. To find a local rep, use this contact form, and someone will reach out to you. Contact form
About Camfil Canada Clean Air Solutions
For more than 60 years, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that enhance worker and equipment productivity, reduce energy consumption, and benefit both human health and the environment.
Media Contact:
Phillip Ilijevski
Camfil Canada Inc.
Sources
- Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) preservation guidelines
- ASHRAE Handbook for Museums, Galleries, Archives
- ISO 16890 air filtration standard overview