safe storage of old film stock

[wayward bob]

the loft has smelt like a darkroom all day

no-one's messing with anything vinegary downstairs, but i have noticed a distinct vinegar smell from some (movie film) reels i've been storing immediately downstairs.

do i need to get rid? or treat in some way? or dispose of in a specific fashion?

 

[eoin_k]

The smell of vinegar doesn't bode well in terms of conservation.

 

[neonwilderness]

National Film Preservation Foundation: Vinegar Syndrome

www.filmpreservation.org

 

[wayward bob]

is it catching? the suspect reel is relatively recent, do i need to quarrantine my other (older) stock?

 

[neonwilderness]

I think the vapour can affect other film, so you probably want to separate them.

 

[wayward bob]

any suggestions for disposal?

 

[wayward bob]

and wondering about the rest thanks for that link! if i turn any more of our limited fridge space over to film i will be murdered in my sleep

 

[wayward bob]

Example of vinegar syndrome in 16mm film print.

www.ian-partridge.com

regular rewashing and airing looks beyond my capacity, but my vinegar film is raw wildlife footage. nothing earth shattering, but the result of a lot of someone else's hard work. its hard just to ditch, and i'm still not sure how i should sensibly dispose of it.