Triptych showing a scientist at work, small glasses with colored contents, and a vitrine display.

Preventive Conservation Science Laboratory (PCSL)

The PCSL focuses on understanding the environmental factors that affect works of art.

The PCSL focuses on understanding the environmental factors that affect works of art. Examples include but are not limited to the following: display, storage, and building materials testing using advanced analytical techniques (GC/MS, ion chromatography, HPLC) for the safe display and transport of art, including the analysis of volatiles and their effect on inorganic and organic artwork; monitoring of and determining acceptable thresholds for volatiles and urban pollutants; and the effect of modern pesticides on art. The group is also involved in developing museum-wide policies related to common agents of deterioration, such as vibration, light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.


Oddy test protocol and results


Additional resources