Quantifying the Potential Co-Benefit of Air Quality Improvement on Cultural Heritage in China

Air quality improvements in China have significantly reduced the surface recession rate of limestone heritage structures by 41.4% from 2006 to 2020, bringing more sites into compliance with international conservation standards and saving an estimated CNY 136.2 million in maintenance costs. While conventional pollutants like PM10 remain the primary risk factor, the study warns that increased photochemical oxidants such as ozone could offset these benefits. Using dose–response functions, researchers quantified the impact of air pollutants on heritage materials, revealing regional disparities in corrosion risk—higher in southern and northwest regions compared to northern areas and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The findings underscore the dual-edged nature of air quality policies, advocating for targeted conservation strategies that balance pollution control with heritage preservation.

Wang, X., Li, H., Wang, Y., & Zhao, X. (2023). Quantifying the Potential Co-Benefit of Air Quality Improvement on Cultural Heritage in China. Sustainability, 15(11), 8709. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118709