Effects of Air Pollution on Cultural Resources

Abstract

Cultural resource degradation caused by air pollution is a serious problem in the world. In Japan, this problem is also serious. Some studies of cultural resource degradation relating to air pollution have been undertaken for two decades. Studies on the cultural resource have been undertaken much more than before. Metals and alloys used for monuments, such as copper, bronze are affected by air pollution and acid precipitation. It is wellknown that bronze statue “Thinking Man” by Rodin at the Ueno Museum has been corroded by air pollution and acid precipitation. The Statue of Liberty in New York was corroded severely by acid precipitation. Some studies for metal degradation reveal the relationship between damage and affective environmental facters, such as SO₂ and SO₄^2-.