Eliminating VOC Levels at a Prominent Museum in New York City

Ever since our first school trip to a local museum, we have had the following words seared into our brains: DO NOT TOUCH. Of course, this message is posted to protect items on display. But what about items concealed in glass cases? A glass barrier undoubtedly eliminates any outside threat, but it may expose delicate artifacts to another, more damaging liability: indoor air pollution. Without proper filtration, air-tight cases become a breeding ground for particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOC).

This is exactly what happened at a prominent museum in New York City, where staff members began noticing the accumulation of white fuzz within the glass cases and on the artifacts themselves. Through careful analysis, it was discovered that this “fuzzy” substance was actually crystallization that had occurred in response to the abundant levels of VOCs within the case. The VOCs themselves were caused by the adhesive used to seal the glass cases together, one that is particularly common in the automotive industry.

To prevent further damage to the artifacts, the museum needed a solution that would, without a doubt, ensure the preservation of these historical pieces. That solution was a top-to-bottom upgrade to their filtration system: custom-designed 24+ fan filter units and a Gigapleat, specifically engineered to remove molecular contaminants—like VOCs off-gassing from the case adhesive.

The project was a major success, and after several tests, the prevalent levels of VOCs drastically decreased. Thrilled with the results of our filter treatment, the client has already placed orders for additional fan filter units.

This project is a perfect example of how a healthy building not only protects the people inside but also the items we cherish. That’s why at Ketchum & Walton, we believe that you should take a holistic approach to building design, accounting for all the ways people, processes, equipment, and other building assets are impacted by noise, ventilation, and, of course, indoor air quality.