A health-risk assessment method for the preventive protection of metal cultural relics using improved rank correlation analysis and AHP fuzzy synthetic evaluation

Abstract This paper presents an innovative health-risk assessment methodology for the preventive protection of metal cultural relics in museums, which is based on the improved rank correlation analysis and AHP fuzzy synthetic evaluation (Relics—AHP—FSE). The approach combines the established ABC method for analyzing the pertinent environmental risk level. In this study, metal cultural relics are introduced as the research subjects. Based on the current scientific knowledge and requirements reported in international norms, a three-level index framework for assessing the health-risk is established in a hierarchical manner, and the quantitative indicators with typical correlations are proposed. The Relics—AHP—FSE approach is applied to the results of the 2022 temporary exhibition “Zhaizi China: Henan Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties civilization exhibition” of Shanghai Museum (China), a renowned institution boasting a significant collection of invaluable relics. In addition, the study accomplishes a scientific and practical health-risk assessment of relics. By utilizing online monitoring data and employing the expert judgment method, this study presents a comprehensive method for assessing the health-risk of metal cultural relics efficiently and conveniently. This cultural heritage protection method is specifically for safeguarding cultural relics exhibited in museums, developed in close collaboration with conservation scientists.