Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage
This study introduces a pilot protocol for evaluating the environmental impact of materials used in the conservation of canvas paintings, applying a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) approach. There are five common treatment phases: disinfection, consolidation (including paint layer softening and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Heritage |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/6/212 |
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| author | Benedetta Paolino Fernanda Prestileo Paola Carnazza Federica Sacco Alessia Strozzi Alberta Congeduti Andrea Macchia |
| author_facet | Benedetta Paolino Fernanda Prestileo Paola Carnazza Federica Sacco Alessia Strozzi Alberta Congeduti Andrea Macchia |
| author_sort | Benedetta Paolino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study introduces a pilot protocol for evaluating the environmental impact of materials used in the conservation of canvas paintings, applying a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) approach. There are five common treatment phases: disinfection, consolidation (including paint layer softening and stabilization), varnish removal, and retouching. These interventions were assessed across three scenarios: Baseline Scenario; Scenario 1, involving material substitution; and Scenario 2, focusing on process optimization. The analysis reveals that solvent-intensive phases, particularly paint softening with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and varnish removal using White Spirit and ethanol, have the highest environmental impacts, including climate change, ecotoxicity, and human toxicity. Biocidal treatments, although used in small quantities, also show significant toxicity impacts. Scenario 1 demonstrates that targeted substitution with lower-impact solvents can reduce key impact categories, while Scenario 2 indicates that operational improvements lead to more moderate but widespread benefits. The results confirm that even in specialized fields such as cultural heritage conservation, measurable environmental improvements are achievable through informed material choices and more efficient application practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a660206c3dfc4dcb93cc214f2d00d8c6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj-art-a660206c3dfc4dcb93cc214f2d00d8c62025-08-20T03:24:38ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-06-018621210.3390/heritage8060212Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural HeritageBenedetta Paolino0Fernanda Prestileo1Paola Carnazza2Federica Sacco3Alessia Strozzi4Alberta Congeduti5Andrea Macchia6Italian Ministry of Culture, National Museums of Siena, Via di San Pietro 29, 53100 Siena, ItalyCNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, ItalyYOCOCU APS, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, ItalyICOM—International Council of Museums Italy-PSE, Palazzo Lombardia 1, entrata n. 3, 20124 Milan, ItalyICOM—International Council of Museums Italy-PSE, Palazzo Lombardia 1, entrata n. 3, 20124 Milan, ItalyFondazione Ecosistemi, Corso del Rinascimento 24, 00186 Rome, ItalyYOCOCU APS, Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Via Tasso 108, 00185 Rome, ItalyThis study introduces a pilot protocol for evaluating the environmental impact of materials used in the conservation of canvas paintings, applying a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) approach. There are five common treatment phases: disinfection, consolidation (including paint layer softening and stabilization), varnish removal, and retouching. These interventions were assessed across three scenarios: Baseline Scenario; Scenario 1, involving material substitution; and Scenario 2, focusing on process optimization. The analysis reveals that solvent-intensive phases, particularly paint softening with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and varnish removal using White Spirit and ethanol, have the highest environmental impacts, including climate change, ecotoxicity, and human toxicity. Biocidal treatments, although used in small quantities, also show significant toxicity impacts. Scenario 1 demonstrates that targeted substitution with lower-impact solvents can reduce key impact categories, while Scenario 2 indicates that operational improvements lead to more moderate but widespread benefits. The results confirm that even in specialized fields such as cultural heritage conservation, measurable environmental improvements are achievable through informed material choices and more efficient application practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/6/212Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)sustainable conservationgreen restorationcanvas paintingcultural heritage |
| spellingShingle | Benedetta Paolino Fernanda Prestileo Paola Carnazza Federica Sacco Alessia Strozzi Alberta Congeduti Andrea Macchia Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage Heritage Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) sustainable conservation green restoration canvas painting cultural heritage |
| title | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage |
| title_full | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage |
| title_fullStr | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage |
| title_short | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of Materials in Painting Conservation: A Pilot Protocol for Evaluating Environmental Impact in Cultural Heritage |
| title_sort | life cycle impact assessment lcia of materials in painting conservation a pilot protocol for evaluating environmental impact in cultural heritage |
| topic | Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) sustainable conservation green restoration canvas painting cultural heritage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/6/212 |
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