Dangers in air conditionig museums in the tropics: report on environmental monitoring in northern Australia.

During September 1998 to April 1999, environmental monitoring was carried out in part of the Djomi Museum, located in the warm humid tropics of Arnhem Land, Australia. An important finding of the study is that in this well sealed building with some thermal mass, internal RH under the influence of the air conditioning was generally higher, and more variable. Importantly for a repository building, in its relatively 'passive' mode the Djomi Museum experienced virtually no combination of conditions likely to lead to major problems with mould. When the 'domestic quality' air conditioning was operational, however, internal humidities were consistently in a range considered at risk of mould infestation.