This document summarizes a research paper that reviewed literature on the effects of airborne particulates on the soiling of artifacts in museums. The research aims to characterize airborne particulates found indoors at the National Museum and Textiles Museum in Kuala Lumpur, identify how particles transfer to artifact surfaces, and measure soiling rates on different artifacts. Data collection involved sampling airborne particles and analyzing their composition. The significant finding was the soiling rates of particulates at the two museums. The research can help develop low-cost techniques to control particle deposition and save preservation costs.

1. Abstract of Applied Sciences and Engineering, 2016, Vol.9
DOI: 10.18488/journal.1001/2016.9/1001.9
9th
International Scientific Conference on Applied
Sciences and Engineering
6-7 June 2016
Nippon Hotel, İstanbul-Turkey
Conference Website: www.scihost.org
3
Paper ID: 03/16/ 9
th
ISCASE
The Soiling Defects of Airborne Particulates towards
Museum Artefacts: Insight from a Literature Review
Nur Baiti Mat Husin1
--- Shamzani Affendy Mohd Din2
--- Rashidi Othman3
1
Postgraduate candidate, Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, International
Islamic University Malaysia
2
Asst. Prof. Dr. Shamzani Affendy Mohd Din, Department of Applied Arts & Design Kulliyyah of
Architecture & Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia
3
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rashidi Othman, Department of Landscape Architecture, Kulliyyah of
Architecture & Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia
Abstract
The conservation of artefacts and its protection against possible damage from air
pollution is of increasing concern. Soiling is considered harmful for the artefact as it
happened when the airborne particulates deposited onto the surface of artefacts. The
conservation literature suggests that deposited airborne material can attack collections
chemically. Therefore high particle concentrations should be avoided in museum.
Moreover, air filtration devices are characteristically remove coarse particles quite
efficiently, but often leave the fine soot-containing fraction uncollected. Hence, it is
indicated that soiling particles were not effectively removed by the filters in the air-
conditioning systems studied. Based on Department of Museum Malaysia (DMM)
Annual Report 2013, there is a huge amount of money allocated for acquiring asset of
the museums. This shows that value of each artefact in the museums are expensive
and should be conserved properly to prevent any damages that will lead to degradation
of its own value. This paper reviewed literature published in journals and conference
proceedings in the atmospheric environment and conservation field. The aim of the
paper is to review the physical and chemical characterisations of airborne particulates
which affect the soiling of artefact in National Museum and Textiles Museum, Kuala
Lumpur. The objectives are to measure and quantify the airborne particulate matters
found in indoor atmosphere of museum, to identify the physical mechanism that governs
the transfer of airborne particles to the surface of artefact, to measure the rates of
soiling for a range of artefacts and to propose the approaches to reduce the soiling
defect of artefacts. The literature review examines the typology of world museums and
Malaysia museums as well as the types of artefacts and its deterioration due to airborne
particulates. An introduction to these topics is followed by an investigation on the
relationship between airborne particulates and soiling defect. A look at the basis of
organic and inorganic artefact is also undertaken to determine which types of artefact
absorb more particulates to become soiled. Also examined is the museum ventilation
system which may affect the concentration of airborne particulates inside the building.
The method used to achieve the objectives of the research involves 4 key activities
which are data collection through museum typology study, scientific data collections
using Cyclone sampler, Cascade Impactor and 7 Holes sampler. Then, the data
analysis and analytical analysis will be conducted using SEM, TEM, ICPMS and FTIR
as to determine the quantity and elements within an airborne particulates sample. After
analysing, the data will be systematically distilled and integrated to draw conclusions

2. 4
using AnalySIS Software. Moreover, the significant finding of the research is the soiling
rates of airborne particulates in National Museum and Textile Museum, Kuala Lumpur.
The findings will assist future research to come up with variety of solution and
techniques to control the rate of particle depositing to surfaces of artefact as many of
the techniques have low associated costs, and some are even yield savings. Hence,
this will save up the National budget in terms of preservation cost.
Keywords: Air pollution, Airborne particulates, Soiling defect, Artefact, Museum.