• Bronze samples and archeological sample were treated with corrosion inhibitor TMI. • Changes due to acetic and formaldehide vapours were documented weekly. • Corrosion development was evaluated by image analysis. • TMI inhibited both bare and oxidized bronze sample. • TMI protected the surface of excavated archeological sample sufficiently well. A corrosion inhibitor, tolyl methyl imidazole (TMI), was tested in practice and verified in a polluted indoor atmosphere. Special attention was given to its behavior in indoor storage conditions, where volatile organic pollutants may cause damage to metal artefacts. Prepared samples of bronze and oxidized bronze were exposed to acetic acid vapors. Raman analysis showed copper acetate and copper nitrate formation. Suppression of corrosion development following the application of tolyl methyl imidazole (TMI) was observed. A simple method based on image analysis for corrosion evaluation was specifically developed. The TMI inhibition action was tested on a Roman archeological object and evaluated after exposure to indoor pollutants.