| Summary: |
In the past a great variety of biocidal heavy metal compounds and
persistent organic pesticides were applied in a large scale for the
liquidation of pests as well as for preventive measures for long-term
preservation of our cultural heritage. Only recently, public and expert
attention starts to focus increasingly on the risks resulting from
these treatments for human health, the works of art and the environment
in general.
Arsenic, lead and mercury-based biocides as well as those of organo-chlorine,
organophosphoric, and organo-tin compounds, their long-term behaviour
and possible options for their removal are becoming a focus of attention.
Evolving from issues related to contaminated objects in museum collections
and historic monuments, the discussions will cover legal and political
aspects, the scientific methodology for a reliable assessment of
health and environmental risks and mitigation strategies at the
laboratory and industrial levels.
With this seminar, the National Museums in Berlin embrace their
responsibility as a cultural institution which is largely concerned
with these issues. The seminar aims to raise the general awareness
of biocide contamination of cultural heritage, compiling state of
the art analysis and mitigation approaches and eventually contributing
to the identification of possible gaps in
current and future researches.
The workshop will bring together experts and decision makers for
a discussion about current approaches for facing the challenges
posed by contaminated collections and monuments. |
