Green Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Conservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage assets involves the potential exposure to risk factors for worker's health and the environment. From the toxicological point of view, restorers/conservators are commonly exposed to complex mixtures of different types of harmful substances that could be responsible for a wide array of toxic effects, from mild effects in the upper airways induced by harmful airborne particulate matter to the carcinogenic effects of certain treatment product, including also paints and pigments. The broad range of non-standardized - ethics require always case-by-case solutions - restoration techniques employed during the interventions on Cultural Heritage items often involves the use of solvent and other chemical mixtures as well as biocidal products, and leads to a challenging assessment of the actual risks. Frequently, artworks must be restored on-site and in indoor environments, often without taking adequate precautions. Moreover, the disposal of chemical waste may be very expensive and it could lead to serious consequences on the environment if it is not carried out properly, and affect people unrelated to the restoration procedure. It is now imperative to take ecological, economic and social aspects into consideration for looking at the conservation practice and supporting conservation science solutions