A new product for monitoring the accumulation of light an object is exposed
to is now available from a Canadian distributor.  If you display original
records or artefacts in your museum or archive this would be a useful tool
to have.
Iona McCraith, AAO Preservation Consultant

Date: 22 Jul 2004
From: Jerry Shiner <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: LightCheck strips

Keepsafe Systems is now distributing LightCheck products to North
America. LightCheck strips are easy to use indicators for monitoring
the light environment; they provide a simple way to determine the
cumulative illumination that a light-sensitive object has been
exposed to.

The color of a LightCheck strip will gradually change as it absorbs
light. An estimate of the amount of light absorbed by the strip is
determined by comparing the progressive variation in the color of
the strip to a color scale.

LightCheck strips are far more sensitive than Blue Wool Standard #1:
LCU type strips are used for exposure spans up to 100 klux hours,
and LCS type strips are used for exposure spans up to 350 klux hours
(LCS type strips are *not* currently available).

LightCheck is a product of a European Commission funded project: "A
light dosimeter for monitoring cultural heritage--development,
testing and transfer to market" (see <URL:http://www.lido.fhg.de>)

The indicator strips are packaged in boxes of 5, including a color
comparison chart. For more information on these materials, please
visit: <URL:http://www.keepsafe.ca>, or email Jerry Shiner at
[log in to unmask]

Jerry Shiner
Keepsafe Systems
800-683-4696
416-703-4696