The conservation soft box (CSB): An innovative, versatile, and low-cost technique to preserve cultural heritage

Abstract

Ensuring the long-term preservation of cultural heritage, in accordance with conservation standards in museum collections, is a complex challenge that demands conservators to address various critical issues. Particularly, organic findings (e.g., textiles, paper, wood, human remains) require special measures to prevent chemical-physical and microbiological deterioration because of their delicate nature. One of the factors contributing to their degradation is the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted for example by materials normally used in museum showcases, which contribute significantly to corrosive processes. Although numerous studies have been conducted to understand VOCs, there are currently no conservation systems available that provide adequate insulation and ensure complete protection against pollutants and degenerative agents. This study demonstrates how modern analytical techniques, and innovative polymeric materials have enabled the design and creation of a new storage system for the preservation of cultural heritage. This is the Conservation Soft Box (CSB), a device with a high level of tightness that allows the reproduction of customised environments tailored to specific conservation requirements. CSB’s constructive materials were validated for their low emissions of VOCs demonstrating compliance with safety standards. Additionally, a solution with activated carbon was tested to remove latent VOCs, which proved to be completely effective. In conclusion, the proposed innovative conservation system could represent a promising advancement in the preservation of cultural heritage, as its chemical safety, constructional versatile and cost-effective, and facilitates the procurement of suitable materials.