International Symposium on the Testing of Materials for Storage and Display of Cultural Heritage

Watch presentations from speakers at The Met’s symposium covering recent developments in materials selection methods used in the storage and display of art and cultural heritage objects.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2019, thanks to the generous support of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, The Met hosted its first International Materials Testing Symposium. The symposium covers recent developments in materials selection methods in addition to both advanced and traditional materials testing tools. Many institutions continue to rely on the Oddy test, while others utilize advanced analytical methodologies such as gas and liquid chromatography to assess materials that are to be used in the display, storage or transportation of art and cultural heritage objects.

Highlights from the symposium include an in depth look at The Met’s version of the Oddy test and how it compares to a paper version and the Photographic Activity Test (PAT) as well as GC/MS analysis using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and direct thermal desorption (DTD) techniques. The symposium also introduced rapid and inexpensive tests for sulfides or acids and techniques for active air sampling in pre-existing spaces and displays.

With eleven speakers and more than one hundred and twenty attendees from a wide range of cultural heritage fields, the symposium garnered fruitful discussion about the needs in the field of preventive conservation to improve our ability to accurately evaluate a broad array of materials for those with and without advanced analytical capabilities.

Welcoming remarks and the eleven presentations are featured in the videos below.


Session videos


Conventional materials tests and resources: overview and advances


Welcome and Introduction Statements

Marco Leona, David H. Koch Scientist in Charge, and Eric Breitung, Senior Scientist, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Fortuitous Interaction: A brief chronicle of offgassing effects on collection materials

Pamela Hatchfield, Robert P. And Carol T. Henderson Head of Objects Conservation, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Survey of Different Methods to Assess Materials Used in Museums From Approved Lists to Piezoelectric Crystal

Jean Tétreault, Senior Conservation Scientist, Canadian Conservation Institute

Updating The Met's 3-in-1 Oddy Test, Successes and Issues

Eric Breitung, Senior Scientist, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

WHO KNEW?! An Overview of Materials Resources, Usage and Future Plans in AIC's Online Universe

Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Principal, A.M. Art Conservation

Oddy Vs. PAT Smackdown!

Daniel Burge Senior Research Scientist, Image Permanence Institute


Advances in materials testing and pollution monitoring using analytical tools—Part One


Selection of Low Emitting Material for the Construction of Display Cases Based on the BEMMA-procedure

Wolfgang Horn, Senior Scientist, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung

The Paper Test, a Novel Analytical Approach for a Semi-quantitative Oddy Test Alternative

Francesca Volpi, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Development of a Semi-quantitative GCMS-based Thermal Desorption 'Toolbox' to Examine and Limit the Risk to Collections From Volatile Compounds

Eric Monroe, Supervisory Scientist, Library of Congress


Advances in materials testing and pollution monitoring using analytical tools—Part Two


Oddy Testing and SPME GC-MS Analysis of Acrylic Adhesives Used in Museums

Catherine Stephens, Associate Research Scientist, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Determining Material Suitability by Direct Isothermal Desorption: Rigid PVC Boards for Vitrine Decks and Back Panels

Michael Samide, Professor of Chemistry, Butler University

Making and Interpreting Pollution and Corrosion Rate Measurements During Exhibitions

Dr. David Thickett, Senior Conservation Scientist, English Heritage