Museums & Archives Air Filtration

The Damage Happens Slowly, Over Years

Collections face a threat most visitors never notice: gases too small to see, working away quietly over time.

Outdoor pollution gets pulled in through the building's ventilation and can slowly damage paper, textiles, wood, leather, and metal. Inside the building, display cases and storage furniture add their own problem: paints, adhesives, and wood finishes give off fumes, and sealed, airtight cases can trap those fumes at higher levels than open storage. Paper and other materials in the collection itself naturally give off acidic fumes as they age, which can damage items stored nearby. Conservation work adds one more layer, since cleaning solvents used during repairs release fumes of their own.

Warning Signs Your Collection Needs Better Air Protection

• You store paper, textile, or leather items long-term

• Your display cases or storage furniture are newer and tightly sealed

• Conservators mention irritation while working with solvents or adhesives

• You've noticed yellowing, brittleness, or discoloration in the collection

• Your facility is in an area with heavy outdoor pollution

• Air quality has never been tested in storage or display areas

Protecting Collections From Gases You Can't See

Electrocorp uses specialty carbon and other filter media to pull the fumes that damage collections, like acidic gases and formaldehyde, out of the air before they reach paper, textiles, or metal. HEPA filters catch fine dust that can settle on and wear down delicate surfaces. Systems can be small enough for a single display case or large enough for a full storage room or gallery.