Assessing a cultural object’s ability to withstand transport hazards such as shock, vibration, and changes in temperature and relative humidity (RH) requires both a detailed examination as well as some understanding of the object’s construction, materials and conservation treatment in terms of their influence on the ability to respond to the external stimulus. New research has shown that low temperature can have a sever affect on paint films. Certain pigments can make paint films brittle regardless of temperature and RH conditions. Current research indicates that rapid RH fluctuations many not be a significant problem in unrestrained wood panel paintings.