In MMDigest 060119, Steve McCollum wrote: "they incorporate an
anti-UV coating, presumably to protect the dyes from fading.  Maybe
this is the solution for archival copies."

I don't think it's the UV protection of the dye, but the actual
dye itself.  The chemical makeup of the dye is what makes it last
longer.  Cheap quality CDRs will decompose even if they're left
in dark storage and not touched.

So far, phthalocyanine is proving to be the best dye for longevity.
It has to do with the chemical bond of photosensitive organic dye.
Cyanine dye has a green color, Metal Azo is blue.  These are both
inferior to the chemical makeup of phthalocyanine.

  http://www.mam-a.com/technology/cd/organic_dyes.html

Thanks again to Terry Hathaway for recommending these CDRs.

Brian Smith
Calimesa, Calif.