Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
Measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in libraries and archives in Florence (Italy)
A Cincinelli1, T Martellini1, A Amore1
1Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
Indoor air samples from libraries and archives in Florence, Italy, were collected and analysed for a variety of volatile organic compounds. The aim was to perform a characterisation of the indoor air quality, and try to elucidate if there are VOCs that may cause or result from the determination of the cultural heritage institutions. All compounds of interest were regularly detected, with BTEXs (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes) being the most abundant and followed by cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes, aldehydes, terpenes and organic acids. The prevalence and qualitative characteristics, such as concentrations, profiles and indoor/outdoor ratios of BTEXs underline the important influence of the outdoor air infiltrations on the indoor air concentrations. Acetic acid that is a substance that can oxidise books and other exposed objects was detected at concentrations ranging between 1.04 and 18.9μgm-3, while furfural, that is a known marker of paper degradation, was constantly present at concentrations that ranged between 5.26 and 32.6μgm-3. This work shows the importance that indoor air quality monitoring campaigns can have in order to give early warning to cultural heritage institution managers about the impact that indoor air quality can have on exposed and/or preserved objects.
Related Concept Videos
Archival Research
Vapor Pressure
Volatilization
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Measurement of Air Content in Concrete
The pressure method,...

