ABSTRACT
Light can cause serious damage to museum collections and is one of the greatest threats to the long-term care of collections. Light is a form of energy and can cause colour fading as well as deterioration in the materials from which museum objects are made. All museum objects are to a greater or lesser extent affected by light, although metals and ceramics are not affected to the same extent as other materials. Some materials are extremely sensitive to light and every care needs to be taken to reduce their exposure levels. Special care should be taken to protect museum items made of more than one type of material.
