--- title: Protecting Collections from Light Damage description: Protect museum collections from light damage by implementing strategies like using UV-filtering solutions, energy-efficient LED lights, and exhibit cases with UV-filtering glass. 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Search # Protecting Collections from Light Damage ![](https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/LightDamage.png) Light damage poses a significant threat to museum collections. While light is necessary for viewing items on display, prolonged exposure can lead to fading, discoloration, and structural deterioration. From ancient artifacts to contemporary paintings, preserving these treasures requires a delicate balance between the public being able to view objects on display and protecting them from harm. Light damage is cumulative and cannot be reversed, so protecting items from excessive light exposure is critical. ## Ultraviolet (UV) Ultraviolet (UV) rays are super harmful to most materials, making fibers brittle and turning them yellow. UV light can also fade dyes and alter colors. ## Visible light Visible light can also cause damage to your artifacts, even though it's unavoidable. It's best to keep light levels low (around 5 to 15 foot-candles) to allow visitors to see the objects on display while protecting them. A foot-candle is a unit of illumination that is equal to one lumen per square foot or 10.764 lux. ## Infrared (IR) Infrared (IR) light is another culprit, as it generates heat that can lead to cracking, lifting, and color changes in artifacts. IR heating is often a problem with high-intensity incandescent lamps and direct sunlight. By controlling visible light, you can also limit the impact of IR light. Keeping an eye on temperature levels will help you assess the effects of IR light more effectively. ## Mitigating light damage There are many practical steps one can take to shield your objects from life-related damage. 1. **Opt for energy-efficient LED lights**, which produce minimal heat and UV radiation compared to traditional bulbs. 2. **Install UV-filtering solutions** for both lights and windows to reduce the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching artifacts. 3. Invest in **exhibit cases with UV-filtering glass or acrylic** to protect items from harmful UV rays. 4. In areas where artifacts are stored, try using **timed switches** or implementing a **"low light" policy** to minimize exposure time. 5. Remember to **rotate items on display** and return them to dark storage to prevent fading from prolonged exposure. 6. **Upgrade lighting systems with dimmers** to adjust the intensity of the light and establish recommended light levels based on artifact sensitivity. 7. Incorporate motion detectors to **automate the dimming and brightening** of lights in storage and exhibit spaces. 8. Store light-sensitive items in **deep-lid boxes** to prevent light from getting in. 9. **Utilize light monitoring devices** to keep track of how long an object is on display and its cumulative light exposure to determine the amount of light damage. - # [![UV-Filtering Tubes for T8 Fluorescent Bulbs ](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/guvt4824-1.jpeg?width=538&height=538&name=guvt4824-1.jpeg) UV-Filtering Tubes for Fluorescent Bulbs](https://www.gaylord.com/Environmental-Control/Light-Filters/UV-Filtering-Tubes-for-T8-Fluorescent-Bulbs-%2824-Pack%29/p/UVT848) - # [![Testo Pocket Light Meter](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/T540-1.jpeg?width=1500&height=1500&name=T540-1.jpeg) Testo Pocket Light Meter](https://www.gaylord.com/Environmental-Control/Light-Monitors-%26-Meters/Testo-Pocket-Light-Meter/p/T540) - # [![Gaylord Archival® Blue/Grey Barrier Board Clamshell Box](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/gbcl12103wt-1.jpeg?width=538&height=538&name=gbcl12103wt-1.jpeg) Gaylord Archival® Barrier Board Clamshell Box](https://www.gaylord.com/Preservation/Archival-Storage-Boxes/Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B-Blue-Grey-Barrier-Board-Clamshell-Box/p/HYB02282) - 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[Limiting Light Damage](https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/light.html)from the Library of Congress - [Reducing Light Damage in Collections](https://dhpsny.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/lighting%20resource.pdf)from the Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) - [Protections from Light Damage](https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/2.-the-environment/2.4-protection-from-light-damage) from Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) - [Tour of the Canadian Conservation Institute Online Light Damage Calculator Webinar](https://connectingtocollections.org/lightcalculatorrecording/) from FAIC: Connecting to Collections Care - [Agent of Deterioration: Light, Ultraviolet and Infrared](https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/agents-deterioration/light.html) from the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) - [Light, Ultraviolet and Infrared](https://www.amnh.org/research/science-conservation/preventive-conservation/agents-of-deterioration/light-ultraviolet-and-infrared) from the American Museum of Natural History - [Light - The Agents of Deterioration | Art Conservation 101](https://youtu.be/oSaN-g_blog?si=3EhcbKAYvPtuhvrv)video from Dig It With Raven ![Agents of Deterioration](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AoD_LOGO_and_ICONS_2023/AoD_ICONS_2023-01.png?width=600&height=515&name=AoD_ICONS_2023-01.png) ### Agents of Deterioration Light is just one of nine agents of deterioration that can damage your collections. [Learn More](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/agents-of-deterioration)   ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/protecting-collections-from-light-damage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/protecting-collections-from-light-damage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/protecting-collections-from-light-damage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/protecting-collections-from-light-damage&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Protecting%20Collections%20from%20Light%20Damage) [Environmental Control](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control), [Monitoring](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) ## Related posts Resources provided here are based on general circumstances. Depending on the condition and significance of your collection, it may require special care. Certain actions may cause irreversible damage. When in doubt, [Find an Expert \>](https://community.culturalheritage.org/expertsearch) ### Are we missing something? If you can't find the information you're looking for, we want to know! [Suggest a Resource \>](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFG5D5S) ![Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. Share Tomorrow.](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png?width=500&name=Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png "Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. 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