Chemical exposure measurements in art restoration

The use of chemicals during restoration practices involves emissions of toxics depending on both the amount of original products used and the specific techniques applied. If considered as working environments, restoration laboratories represent a big issue with regard to the prevention of the risks for the workers’ health and safety. In this study we evaluated workers’ exposure to solvent mixture which were generated during restoration of archaeological metal handcraft. This investigation was conducted as part of a larger study that aimed to characterize facility operations, work practices and risk reduction strategies in the cultural heritage sector, a pulling ahead field in Italian small enterprises context. Procedural approach in order to evaluate chemical risk of exposure consists of both restoration procedures analysis and worker exposure measurements.