Here at VODEX, we’re passionate about providing people with the proper extraction and ventilation to keep themselves safe while operating efficiently. In past articles, we’ve spoken about how fume and dust extraction can benefit employees in workplaces such as nail salons, carpentry workshops and the metalworking and engineering sectors dependent on the use of oil mists.
One area often less thought of when it comes to fume and dust extraction is artefact restoration and conservation. However, ensuring proper extraction for the preservation of artefacts can have a significant impact on both the quality of the restoration project as well as the health and safety of those carrying out the conservation.
So, we thought we’d take a more in-depth look into how extraction can help in artefact restoration, starting with perhaps the most famous archaeological milestone in history.
The Dangers of Restoration: Curse of the Pharaoh
The need for proper extraction for archaeologists and restorers can be traced back over a century to 1922. Many people have heard of the so-called ‘curse of the pharaoh,’ that being the deaths of several of chief archaeologist Howard Carter’s team after opening the tomb of Tutankhamun. At the time, this was the topic of mass hysteria that tantalised superstitious newspaper readers across the globe. However, a 2011 study found that these deaths might have potentially resulted from inhaling dangerous fungi spores, namely Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.
In an interview with National Geographic, University of Pennsylvania’s Egyptologist Jennifer Wegner highlighted how the contents of Egyptian tombs could be hotbeds for substances harmful to humans. Wegner said that, as well as mummified bodies, copious other biological items such as foodstuffs, animals and plants were often interred by ancient Egyptians for religious purposes. In her view, these objects ‘certainly may have attracted insects, moulds and those kinds of things.’
National Geographic also found that some tomb walls may be covered with respiratory-assaulting bacteria, as well as playing host to bats whose droppings can carry a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, an influenza-like condition. Added to that is the cocktail of ammonia gas, formaldehyde and hydrogen sulphide often stored within sealed sarcophagi, which can cause pneumonia-like symptoms and, in extreme situations, can be fatal.
In the 1920s, it’s hardly surprising that such drastic medical repercussions were met with superstition, egged on eagerly by media hysteria. That said, it’s clear that the hazards associated with excavating, restoring and conserving ancient artefacts are to be taken seriously, which is where proper extraction can make all the difference.
Image Credit: The Smithsonian
How extraction can help artefact restoration
Extracts biological threats
The proper use of extractors can minimise the risk of biological threats like those faced by the team that excavated the tomb of Tutankhamun. The spores and toxins emitted are primarily airborne and enter the body through the respiratory system. The dangers can be drastically reduced by combining the effective use of masks and an appropriate extraction system.
Removes harmful chemicals
Not only can artefacts harbour harmful biological elements, but it’s also important to remember that the restoration process uses numerous potentially dangerous chemicals. These can include cleaning agents like ethanol, acetone and other ketones, as well as ammonia and chloride, all of which can create fumes that can seriously threaten employees’ health. Therefore, ensuring that these fumes are extracted as safely and quickly as possible is the perfect example of how extraction can help with safe artefact restoration.
Better preserves artefacts
It’s well known that humidity and temperature are crucial elements in the quality of artefact preservation; however, air quality can be equally as important. Museums Galleries Scotland found the relatively high levels of sulphur and nitrogen dioxide that are a typical result of fossil fuel usage can have several adverse effects on artefacts. These include weakening materials such as limestone and marble and causing ‘red rot’ in leather, and rendering paper yellowed and brittle.
This occurs when particle pollutants such as dust absorb sulphur or nitrogen dioxide, making the particles acidic and water-absorbent. This, in turn, causes the corrosion we mentioned above and a propensity for fungal growth. Similarly, traces of metals in the particles can also catalyse these reactions, while museums located near salt-water sources can have large numbers of salt crystals in the air, both of which can hasten the corrosion and degradation of both organic and metal-based artefacts.
By utilising proper extraction and ventilation equipment, the air quality in museums and laboratories can be drastically improved as the dusts harbouring harmful nitrates and metal or saline particles can be extracted quickly. This would likely result in artefacts retaining a better quality for longer, preventing degradation or impurities in the items in question.
VODEX extraction for the preservation of artefacts
VODEX provides intelligent extraction solutions to all manner of industries, including artefact preservation. Our products and specialist solutions are the result of over three decades of experience in our field, allowing us to provide a professional and reliable bespoke service to our clients.
To take a look at the services we offer, head to our products page, where you can see our full range of extraction solutions as well as spare parts and accessories to help you get the most out of your equipment. Alternatively, click here to get in touch to find out more about our bespoke solutions.
