Protection of works of art from damage due to atmospheric ozone

Ozone at the concentrations found in the indoor atmosphere of many museums poses a fading hazard to the pigments used in works of art. The ozone control problem faced by museum personnel is unusual because indoor ozone exposure must be reduced to very low levels in order to protect the collections from accumulated damage over periods of 100 years or more. In the present study, methods that can be used to protect museum collections from ozone damage are evaluated. Control measures examined include pollutant removal via ventilation system redesign, construction of display cases to protect the works, framing of paintings, prints and watercolors behind glass, selection of ozone-resistant pigments, and application of binders and coatings that will protect ozone-sensitive pigments