Determination of Organic Acids in the Interior Atmosphere of Display Cases and Cabinets in Museums of Athens by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Goal and Scope. Development of an analytical method for the determination of two organic acids having the lowest relative molecular mass (formic and acetic), by High Performance Liquid Chromatography is presented. Formic and acetic acids have been determined in the interior atmosphere of display cases and cabinets of the National Archaeological Museum and Numismatic Museum, two significant museums of Athens. The problem of organic acids in museums focuses on the presence of formic and acetic acid vapors emitted from constructing and conservative materials (particularly wood) in the interior atmosphere of cases and cabinets, and their accumulation in large concentrations. These organic acid vapors react with the material of the artifact and cause corrosion.