Abstract:
The quality of the internal microclimate is a very important issue nowadays, considering that people in developed societies spend a
good part of their day inside buildings and means of transport. But the poor quality of indoor air has a double effect; on the one
hand, it can harm human health, and on the other hand, it can cause the degradation of materials. Thus, the current study
considers the potential influence of a number of 20 pollutants on the exhibits, visitors, and employees of a synagogue that is
over 140 years old in the Municipality of Oradea (Romania), which today is included in the list of historical monuments and is
open to be visited. The monitoring period consisted of 9 months, during which parameters such as temperature, relative
humidity, CO concentration, light intensity, concentration of particulate matter, and other pollutants were monitored. All the
obtained values were then reported to the international standards in force for each indicator, both regarding the potential for
human health and the integrity of the exhibits. The results indicate that the values of most pollutants respect the allowed
thresholds, with more or less permitted exceptions. The most problematic are the values of temperature, relative humidity,
HCHO, and VOC, which substantially exceed the allowed limits and vary a considerable difference. This can induce additional
stress on the exhibits, leading over time to damage and premature aging; in terms of human health, the indoor microclimate
can, in rare cases, cause discomfort associated with headaches, dizziness, and irritation, but the potential to cause persistent
ailments is quite low. To maintain a clean internal microclimate, preventive conservation through the continuous monitoring
of internal parameters as well as the establishment of long-term strategies to stabilize the values of pollutants are necessary actions.
