What Can We Learn From Environmental Monitoring?

Monitoring the environment typically refers to data collection of temperature, relative humidity, and/or light levels of a given space over time. Ideally data is collected for at least a year in order to document any seasonal changes. Digital loggers or hygrothermographs are used to record the data, which can be graphed manually or with the help of software like eClimate notebook. 


Quantify the Problem

There may be a general consensus that the attic storage space at Museum X is not ideal. It is challenging to know what measures of improvement are within reach without any concrete data. 

It also takes many objects a while to "feel" the impact of temperature and relative humidity spikes. Without ongoing data collection it is hard to know if poor environments are having a long-term effect on the condition of objects. 

In order to apply for grants or encourage the support of the board of trustees it is helpful to have concrete evidence or data to support a claim. 

Improve Treatment

Certain aspects of various conservation materials could be affected by the surrounding environment. Some interior spaces may actually have environmental conditions that more closely match the exterior and material choices should be made accordingly. 

Some treatments may not be appropriate for certain environments. For example, the Rene Martin ceiling and doors at Doris Duke's Shangri La were exhibiting extractive bleed from the wooden substrate. This phenomenon could only be halted with controlled relative humidity and temperature, which was unattainable in the historic structure on the Hawaiian coast. A treatment to remove the oozing resin would have been costly and time consuming and the extractive resin would likely return in that environment. Therefore, treatment was modified to tone over the existing resin and reunify the design. 

Prevent Disaster

Some monitoring is ongoing and even in realtime. This allows collections care staff to catch a problem with a mechanical system, a leak, or impact of inclement weather early enough to intervene before an emergency becomes a disaster. 

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