Slides can be stored in slide boxes, albums or hanging files made of an appropriate material as for prints and negatives. X-rays should be treated as negative sheets and stored in archival envelopes or plastic sleeves and then boxed or held in file systems. Storage Shelves should be made of coated metal. Wooden shelving should be avoided, as it can release harmful vapours, can contribute to the spread of fire and may harbour insects. Environment Photographic material should be stored in a clean, dark, climatically-controlled environment.
Materials degrade quicker when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Fluorescent tubes which are low in ultraviolet light should be used wherever possible in storage areas. Lights should be turned off whenever possible. Storage areas should not have windows, but if they do they should be covered with curtains or blinds. Production standards Different photographic materials have different levels of stability and therefore different life expectancies. 35 mm positive and negative domestic films may be suitable as auxiliary material but are not generally classed as preservation quality.