Effect of air pollution on the deterioration of El Manial palace and museum for greater conservation of Egyptian cultural heritage

Abstract

Ancient archaeological buildings are witness on human civilization and cultures. Saving and the conservation of cultural heritage is an urgent priority in Egypt and worldwide. ElManial palace and museum is one of the most important Egyptian ancient archaeological buildings and has great historical and cultural value due to the presence of personal valuable property and memorabilia of Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik objects which reflecting the settings and lifestyle of the late 19th and early 20th century Egyptian royal prince and heir apparent. Unfortunately the palace is situated in very crowded and polluted place, so thus study was done for measuring the effect of pollutants on the palace and monuments collections on it. RH%, temperature, particulate matter (PM) and its ionic species and gaseous air pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde) were measured inside and outside the museum. The annual mean concentration of SPM in outdoor and reception hall exceeded both national and international limits. A/C ratios for all locations were greater than one, indicating that SPM were in acidic state, which had hazard effect on the palace and its heritage constituents. HCHO and NH3 gases were high compared to other studies. SO2 and NO2 gases were more than international limits which form a critical danger on the palace.