The effects of visitor activity on dust in historic collections

Abstract

Dust poses a risk to objects on open display, spoiling their appearance and necessitating cleaning. Over time deposits become more difficult to remove, risking damage to vulnerable substrates. An understanding of the sources and distribution of dust is needed to determine housekeeping resources and optimum intervals for cleaning. Dust particles were collected and analysed in four historic properties with a range of access arrangements. Results indicated that coarse particles at floor level rarely rise above 30 cm. Most of the dust on surfaces between waist and shoulder height consisted of fibres from visitors’ clothing. The rate of coverage halved with every 50‐cm distance between visitors and objects. Human activity produced higher levels of dust, for example visitor routes with multiple turns, and proximity of staff and interpreters to objects. To reduce deposition, fragile objects can be positioned further from visitors or given traditional covers. Thanks to a grant from the Leverhulme Trust, the mechanisms that attach dust to surfaces are now being studied, together with staff and visitor perceptions of dustiness.

Notes

Author for correspondence.