Courier_NewThe short answer, is yes, you
may use laser pointers to point at areas on works of art, however,
caution should be taken with works that are extrmely light sensitive,
such as watercolors and certain prints with fugitive inks or dyes.
Also, the pointer should not be hle in one place for a long duration.
The long answer is attached below, which comes from a query on the
conservation discussion list...
Hope this helps!
Lori K. van Handel
Department Head, Preventive Conservation
Associate Conservator
Williamstown Art Conservation Center
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA 01267 USA
voice: 413.458.5741, fax: 413.458.2314
[log in to unmask]
Courier_NewDate: 3 Dec 1999
From: Marie Svoboda <<[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Laser pointers
Katy Untch <<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I've been asked to find out if other museums allow the use of Laser
>pointers in their galleries. I'd be curious to know what other
>conservators think about the affect of laser pointers on works of
>art. Is there any better method for a docent to use for pointing?
Richard Newman at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has recently
produced a document on laser pointers as a result of various
inquiries about their use in the galleries by our docents and
guards. This document is intended as a handout for those who want
more information on the types of pointers available and their danger
to people and works of art. The document also outlines a protocol
for their use in museum galleries. The information we complied was
based on contributions made by various scholarly sources and the web
page: <
**** Moderator's comments: Unfortunately, as of the time of this
mailing the above document appears to have access restrictions
on it.
Here are excerpts from the MFA's Laser Pointer document:
Lasers pointers manufactured in the United States must have a
label that states the class of laser in the product. The most
common laser pointers currently on the market are 'Class IIIA,'
meaning that they have a moderate power output (1-5 mW). Of the
red light pointers, the least expensive and most readily
available emit 670 nanometer light. Only red light lasers of
'Class IIIA' or below should be utilized. If possible, 'Class
II' red light lasers should be used; these are safer than 'Class
IIIA' types, but may not have sufficient intensity for use in
galleries.
Laser light is highly directional. If shined directly on the
retina of the human eye for an extended period of time,
permanent damage is possible, even from the common red light
laser pointers. The FDA has issued a warning on the use of
laser pointers, and precautions for their use have been
published in a number of places. Accidental exposure to the
beam from a laser pointer, which usually would last a very short
time (often less a second), will not produce permanent injury to
the eye. There are possible temporary effects, including
flashblindness (a temporary vision impairment, as can occur
after viewing any bright light), afterimage, and glare. Red
light laser pointers pose no other health hazards-for example,
shining a pointer on skin, even for an extended period of time,
is not dangerous. Anyone who uses a pointer in the galleries
should be informed about safe pointer operation (not pointing
them at people or on reflective surfaces (such as metals).
Visible light can produce perceptible changes in some materials.
For example, sensitive dyes may fade. Such dyes may occur in
textiles, watercolor paintings, various types of prints,
upholstery fabrics, and in some pigments used in easel
paintings. Some simple measurements we have made indicate that
the intensity of light at the spot illuminated by a red light
laser pointer exceeds the maximum recommended footcandles for
sensitive works of art. However, since a laser pointer would
generally only be held on one specific spot on a work of art for
a very short period of time, it seems very unlikely that any
measurable damage (i.e. fading) would occur. It should also be
noted that the most common laser pointers emit red light; red
light has the longest wavelengths and consequently the lowest
energy of any color of visible light. A certain number of
footcandles of red light would be less damaging to a sensitive
work of art than the same number of footcandles of white light.
Absorption of the light from the laser by a dark-colored surface
could potentially produce a local temperature rise; again,
however, given the length of time on which the pointer is held
on a specific spot, this is not likely to be cause for concern.
As a matter of policy, light-sensitive objects should not be
illuminated by pointers.
Hope this is helpful. We would be interested in hearing from others
on this topic.
Marie Svoboda
Assistant Conservator
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Date: 3 Dec 1999
From: William Hall <<[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Laser pointers
Katy Untch <<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I've been asked to find out if other museums allow the use of Laser
>pointers in their galleries. I'd be curious to know what other
>conservators think about the affect of laser pointers on works of
>art. Is there any better method for a docent to use for pointing?
In my opinion this comes under the same category as flash. The
occasional use of a laser pointer for a few seconds, particularly if
it is moving around, makes very little difference to the total light
dose received by the object. In addition, most laser pointers are
red which is the least damaging part of the spectrum. The heating
effect of a pointer is not significant. I would have thought that
more damage could be done by the lecturer pointing/touching with
hand or stick. Obviously pointing a laser pointer at a fixed place
on vulnerable object for more than a few 10s of seconds would not be
a good idea.
William Hall
Littlemore Scientific (ELSEC), Oxford UK
Manufacturer of environmental monitors for museums & art galleries
+44 1865 747437
Fax: +44 1865 747780
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