[NHCOLL-L:4405] light sources and bones

[Bob Glotzhober]

We have an exhibit that includes a wide variety of mammal skulls
(emphasis on diversity). Unfortunately, the case that was designed for
it is very hard to get into. Recently I was working with our exhibit
staff to do a major cleaning of all our natural history exhibits, the
objects, cases and glass. In the process we noted while this case was
fairly clean (it is very tight!), there were some bulbs out - so we
opened it to clean while replacing bulbs. What we discovered was that
the original design had incandescent spots (I think halogen). To save
money the custodial staff had replaced them with compact fluorescents -
and a couple of these were out. As it turned out, all we had on hand
were the spots - so we replaced the lights with spots.

 

Our exhibit designers had not really thought about it, and until seeing
the situation, neither had I. The question is - are there any negatives
to using the compact fluorescents? They would not only use less
electricity, but would be cooler - which might be very good in this
particular case since it is so tight. What is the impact long-term on
bone - I would presume there is a lot less concern than for fur or
feather, but I've never seen anything in print on this. Any thoughts or
references would be appreciated.

 

Bob Glotzhober

 

====================

Robert C. Glotzhober                  614/ 298-2054

Senior Curator, Natural History    bglotzhober at ohiohistory.org

Ohio Historical Society               Fax: 614/ 297-2546

1982 Velma Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43211-2497

Visit the website of the Ohio Historical Society at:
www.ohiohistory.org <http://www.ohiohistory.org>  and check out our
online collections catalog.

Visit the Ohio Odonata website at:
http://www.marietta.edu/~odonata/index.html
<http://www.marietta.edu/~odonata/index.html> 

 

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