New protection layer for historical heritage

British and American experts have studied a water-repellent compound that is able to effectively protect buildings and statues of limestone of high historical value.

According to a report in Scientific Reports, British-US experts say they have found a new way to minimize chemical reactions that make historic structures of limestone erode over time.

Collaboration with University College Cardiff (UK), Vicki Grassian of the University of Iowa (USA), said the protection is quite simple, just coated with a thin layer of water-repellent to prevent erosion. by the environment, such as the surface worn out by atmospheric molecules in the air.

The topcoat consists of a mixture of fatty acids extracted from olive oil and fluoride, which enhances the resistance of limestone to pollutant molecules.

One of the buildings is the York Minster, a church in York, and one of the largest structures of its kind in the Nordic region. Church construction began in the 1260s.

York Minster is considered to be the perfect experimental structure for the study, as its limestone surface has been subjected to years of acid rain, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants.