Monumental Challenges: Air Pollution’s Silent Assault on India’s Landmarks

IJEP 44(15): 1397-1404 : Vol. 44 Issue. 15 (Conference 2024)

Arya Kumar1, Smriti Pathak2, Anuj Kumar3*, Isac Gunday4 and S.S. Prasada Rao5

1. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, School of Economics and Commerce, Bhubaneswar – 751 024, Odisha, India
2. Pimpri Chinchwad College of Arts, Commerce and Science (Affiliated to Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust), Department of Commerce and Science, Pune – 412 101, Maharashtra, India
3. Marwadi University, Marwadi University Research Center, Department of Management Sciences, Rajkot – 360 003, Gujarat, India
4. JECRC University, Jaipur Business School, Department of Business and Management, Jaipur – 303 905, Rajasthan, India
5. S.P. Mandali’s Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (PGDM), Department of Business and Management, Mumbai – 400 019, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Recent advancements in environmental monitoring highlight the growing concern for the socio-economic and health ramifications of air pollution in prominent tourist destinations. Integral as tangible embodiments of historical narratives ingrained in a society’s culture, monuments fulfil a crucial role. India, revered for its profound historical legacy, hosts a myriad of landmarks, spanning well-preserved museums to dynamic structures, like temples and palaces. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to gaseous and particle pollution has visibly marred antiquities and historic structures, particularly in major cities globally. This research endeavours to thoroughly analyze scientific investigations into the repercussions of climatic changes and air pollution on Indian historical places contextualized globally. External factors, like weather fluctuations and heightened human activity surrounding museums contribute to swift alterations in indoor air quality. While traffic and industrial emissions significantly affect outdoor air quality, inadequate ventilation and ineffective control mechanisms predominantly compromise interior air quality. The report underscores these challenges and proposes strategic measures for implementing air quality regulations tailored to museum settings. It suggests technical and administrative remedies to enhance air quality within museums and outdoor monuments. By addressing these specific issues, the research contributes to the broader discourse on preserving cultural heritage amid contemporary environmental challenges.

Keywords

Pollution, Indian heritage, Monuments, Air quality, Environment

References

  1. Smielowska, M., M. Marc and B. Zabiegala. 2017. Indoor air quality in public utility environments- A review. Env. Sci. Poll. Res., 24(12): 11166-11176.
  2. Bhargav, J.S., R.C. Mishra and C.R. Das. 1999. Environmental deterioration of stone monuments of Bhubaneswar, the temple city of India. Stud. Conser., 44: 1-11. DOI: 10.1179/sic.1999.44.1.1.
  3. Lee, S.B., J. Bogaard and R.L. Feller. 1989. Damaging effects of visible and near-ultraviolet radiation on paper. In Historic textile and paper materials. II: Conservation and characterization. Ed H. Zeronin and H.L. Needles. American Chemical Society symposium. series no. 410. ACS Washington D.C. pp 54-62.
  4. Lee, S.B., J. Bogaard and R.L. Feller. 1989. Darkening of paper following exposure to visible and near-ultraviolet radiation. J. American Inst. Conser., 28: 1-8.
  5. Appelbaum, B. 1991. Guide to environmental protection of collections. Sound View Press, Madison.
  6. Bachmann, K. 1992. Conservation concerns: A guide for collectors and curators. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.
  7. Stratis, J. 1992. Influence of the environment on the archaeological items and monuments. In Monument and environment (vol 1). Paratititis Publishing House, South Africa. pp 81-88.
  8. Cassar, M. 1995. Environmental management, guidelines for museums and galleries. Museums and Galleries Commission. Routlege Publications.
  9. Blades, N., et al. 2000. Guidelines on pollution control in museum buildings. Museum Practice, Museums Association, London.
  10. Camuffo, D., et al. 2001. Environmental monitoring in four European museums. Atmos. Env., 35(1): 127-140.
  11. Sharif-Askari, H. and B. Abu-Hijleh. 2018. Review of museums indoor environment conditions studies and guidelines and their impact on the museums artifacts and energy consumption. Build. Env., 143: 186-195.
  12. Hu, F., et al. 2015. Indoor air quality at five site museums’ of Yangtze river civilization. Atmos. Env., 123: 449-454.
  13. Agelakopoulou, T., et al. 2009. Air pollution effect of SO2and/or aliphatic hydrocarbons on marble statues in archaeological museums. J. Hazard. Mater., 160(1-3): 182-189.
  14. Ligocki, M.P., et al. 1993. Characteristics of airborne particles inside southern California museums. Atmos. Env., 27(5): 697-711.
  15. Pavlogeorgatos, G. 2003. Preservation of materials cultural heritage. Paratiritis Publishing House S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece.
  16. Goel, A., et al. 2017. Characteristics of exposure to particles due to incense burning inside temples in Kanpur, India. Aerosal Air Quality Res., 17: 608-615. DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.2016.04.0146.
  17. Reddy, M.K., et al. 2005. Indoor air quality at Salarjung museum, Hyderabad, India. Env. Monit. Assess., 105: 359-367. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-4344.z.
  18. Bajpai, R., D.K. Upreti and S.K. Dwivedi. 2009. Arsenic accumulation in lichens of Madav monuments, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Env. Monit. Assess., 159: 437-442. DOI: 10.1007/s 106 61-008-0641-7.
  19. Sharma, J.S. and D.N. Sharma. 1982. Atmospheric contamination of archaeological monuments in the Agra region (India). Sci. Total Env., 23: 31-40. DOI: 10.1016/S0166-1116(08)70988-9.
  20. Rao, N.V., M. Rajasekhar and C.G. Rao. 2014. Detrimental effect of air pollution, corrosion on building materials and historical structures. American J. Eng. Res., 3(3): 359-364.
  21. Gauri, K.L. and C.G. Holdren. 1981. Pollutants eff-ect on stone monuments. Env. Sci. Tech., 15(4): 386-390.
  22. Jain, K.K. and A.K. Mishra. 1993. Effect of atmospheric pollution on monuments and historic buildings. Souvenir. pp 340-352.
  23. Grzywacz. 2006. Monitoring for gaseous pollutants in museum environments. Getty Publication, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
  24. Zorpas, A.A. and A. Skouroupatis. 2016. Indoor air quality evaluation of two museums in a subtropical climate conditions. Sustain. Cities Soc., 20: 52-60.
  25. Themistocleous, K., et al. 2012. Long-term monitoring of air pollution on monuments and cultural heritage sites in Cyprus using satellite remote sensing. Int. J. Herit. Digit. Era. 1(1): 145-167.
  26. Metallo, M.C., et al. 1995. Air pollution loads on historical monuments: An air quality model application to the marble arch of Titus in Rome. Sci. Total Env., 171: 163-172.
  27. Maskova, L., et al. 2020. Air quality in archives housed in historic buildings: Assessment of concentration of indoor particles of outdoor origin. Build. Env., 180: 107024.
  28. Cininelli, A., et al. 2016. Measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in libraries and archives in Florence (Italy). Sci. Total Env., 572: 333-339.
  29. Camuffo, D., et al. 1999. Indoor air quality at the Correr museum, Venice, Italy. Sci. Total Env., 236: 135-152.
  30. Jean, T. 2000. Standards for levels of indoor pollutants in museum, indoor air quality in museum and archives. Canadian Conservation Institute.
  31. SMC. 1994. Fact sheet- The effect of storage and display materials on musuem objects. Scottish Museums Council.