UV filters

Bea Weicker Irvin <bwwi [at] bwwi__com> writes

>I have recessed low-wattage recessed halogen lights (Halo housing
>#H-1499-T & trim #1420-P) that I use in my the space in my home
>dedicated to displaying antique and ancient textiles.  Some textiles
>are under UV treated plexiglass, but not all.  The lights have a
>round glass lens (about 2" in diameter) between the housing and the
>bulb--that is, between the bulb and the space it is shining into.  I
>was wondering if it were possible to find lenses that are UV
>treated.  If so, how much impact does the treatment have on UV
>reduction?  Also, how much impact on UV reduction does dimming the
>lights have?

The fixture you describe uses an MR16 bulb. The 2" clear glass is
supplied with the fixture to satisfy the UL listing providing a
covering for the bulb. You can substitute the glass with a UV filter
which is available from your Halo distributor.
<URL:http://www.cooperlighting.com/halo>  Or you can obtain the UV
filters at less cost from Bausch and Lomb, the company that makes
the filters. They would also be available from your same lighting
distributor. We have used similar filters here including daylight
filters, heat filters, colored filters, and the like.

The UV filters will not stop all of the UV according to studies done
my the National Gallery in London. Yes dimming will reduce the UV.
To protect your collection from degradation the UV filters will
help. Reduced light levels and reduced hours of lighting will also
help prevent fiber breakdown, "silk-shattering", color fading etc.
When not on display, cold, dry, dark storage is advised. Best of
luck,

David Wexler, President
Hollywood Vaults, Inc.
Preservation-Quality Storage for Film, Tape & Digital Media
742 Seward Street,  Hollywood California  90038-3504 USA
323-461-6464,  800-569-5336
Fax: 323-461-6479,  805-569-1657

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:46
                 Distributed: Monday, November 23, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-12-46-003
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