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How Sniffing Priceless Art and Artifacts Could Save Them—Speaking of Chemistry

By tracking the chemicals in "old book smell" and other musuem odors, conservators can react quickly to preserve priceless art and artifacts at the first signs of degradation

by American Chemical Society
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Odor-detecting devices like Breathalyzers have been used for years to determine blood-alcohol levels in suspected drunk drivers. Now, researchers are using a similar method to sniff out the breakdown of art and artifacts. By tracking the chemicals in "old book smell" and other musuem odors, conservators can react quickly to preserve priceless art and artifacts at the first signs of degradation. In this Speaking of Chemistry, Sarah Everts explains how cultural-heritage science uses the chemistry of odors to save books, vintage jewelry, and even early Legos. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/UYvaqwXANwg.

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