Dear Records Management list,

Attached is some technical information that might be helpful regarding 
nitrate based films.  This is very specifically aimed at motion picture 
but it applies to all nitrate base. 
Here is the weblink for the information.   
http://motion.kodak.com/US/en/motion/Support/Technical_Information/Storage/storage_nitrate.htm#insp

A couple of other comments.  My memory tells me that we did not make 16 mm 
nitrate based microfilms which would help the writer in this case.  Also, 
at that time it was common to edgeprint films with the words "Kodak Safety 
Base".   I suspect other manufacturers did so as well.   If it is printed 
safety base, then it is cellulose acetate or polyester, not cellulose 
nitrate.

I agree with the suggestion made by one person to test only a very small 
piece if that is what is decided as a path forward.  Note the comments 
below about yellowing, brittleness and production of nitrous oxide gas as 
hints of possible nitrate based film. 


Nitrate Base Film
Nitrate base, the pioneer of motion picture film bases, retired from our 
cameras and laboratories about 1951-52. Still, its very long shadow of 
distinguished commercial motion pictures and film records haunts many film 
vaults. Nitrate base films must be handled with informed care.

Cellulose nitrate base film is relatively unstable. If you store it in 
large quantities of about 5,000 feet or more and in non approved storage 
cabinets without proper ventilation, it becomes a fire hazard. Admittedly, 
it takes a bit of pushing to cause it to burst into flames spontaneously. 
For example, in one laboratory test, combustion occurred with a 
decomposing 1,000 foot roll of film only after it was kept at 41°C (106°F) 
for 17 days tightly encased in a can wrapped in insulation to retain the 
heat of decomposition. However, even a minor fire can cause major film 
losses. This example may not be that different from some storage lofts in 
the summertime that are uninsulated.

Cellulose nitrate decomposition is the villain. It shrinks, even to the 
point of becoming unusable. Furthermore, as the film breaks down, it gives 
off nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other gases that yellow the film 
base, yellow and soften gelatin, and oxidize the silver image. Later, the 
base cockles, becoming very brittle and then sticky. Finally, it 
disintegrates completely. This inevitable deterioration is usually 
gradual, but elevated temperatures and humidity speed it greatly.

While it deteriorates, nitrate base film makes a kind of pressure cooker 
of the film can in which it rests, especially when it's taped closed. If 
the gases can't escape, heat builds and spontaneous combustion may not be 
far behind. Therefore, nitrate film must never be closed in.

Escaping toxic gases (powerful oxidizing agents) can attack nearby acetate 
and polyester base films, so store nitrate films in their own special 
place and not in a place too heavily concentrated.

If the conditions are right, their image layers may last for decades or 
generations. Because of their great value, many nitrate base films have 
been reprinted on current longer lasting safety base. Somewhere, nitrate 
film is still with us, so we offer a few more comments.

Probability of Rapid Decomposition
If you store old nitrate base films, the first thing you need to check is 
the temperature of the storage area. High readings of the temperature 
and/or the relative humidity are unfavorable to nitrate and to other 
films. Are the by products of decomposition being discharged from the 
storage area? Is there too much nitrate in a confined area? The more rolls 
collected in one place, the greater the chance of trouble. with nitrate 
film, it's important to design separate and specialized storage 
compartments.

Inspection and Segregation of Nitrate Base Film
Identification is the key to initiating the proper handling of nitrate 
film. You need to properly identify the films in your vaults and storage 
areas. Don't assume all films to be acetate or polyester when some may be 
nitrate. Some rolls may be spliced mixtures of each. Kodak never produced 
16 mm or narrower film on nitrate base. Some may have been slit to 16 mm 
from 35 mm for whatever reason. Also, Kodak never produced 70 mm or 35 mm 
color camera original or color print films on nitrate base, but they did 
produce on nitrate base a special black and white Eastman nitrate film for 
use in making 35 mm and 70 mm imbibition films (dyed by the Technicolor 
process).

It's important to know exactly what types of film are in your possession 
because nitrate fumes and fire are a threat. Conditions that may only 
marginally harm the acetate films can cause a nitrate base to become very 
dangerous. Unless you can detect some deterioration, you may have a hard 
time differentiating nitrate from acetate base films. Edge identification 
may establish the difference the easy way.

You can use ultraviolet lamps to identify EASTMAN Triacetate Films by the 
resulting fluorescence. A different identification tool is your nose. 
Cellulose nitrate has a characteristic acid odor, similar to that of 
nitric acid. This odor is unmistakable when a quantity of nitrate film has 
been stored, especially in a nonventilated area.

Evaluating the Extent of Deterioration
The nitrate film you have in storage may be middleaged, but if it was 
properly stored, it may be quite usable. However, if it was neglected, it 
may be showing signs of early deterioration. One way to determine the 
extent of deterioration is to look at the color of the base. If it's 
yellowish, or even amber, sulfiding has begun because of silver in the 
emulsion and some yellowing of the gelatin. The confirming test is to see 
if the film base is brittle and breaks easily on being bent in half, 
especially with the emulsion side out. At this stage, the gelatin is 
probably soft enough to dissolve readily if the film is wetted.

If these symptoms of decomposition are found, handle the film with care 
and keep it dry. Duplicate it soon after inspection, drying, and cleaning, 
because buckled film and sticky gelatin may make duplication later more 
difficult or perhaps impossible.

Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous combustion is self ignition of combustible material through 
chemical action (as oxidation) of its constituents. It develops from 
knowable conditions, such as deterioration, and with proper observation 
and care, you can prevent a chemical reaction. Nonpreventive measures, 
whether it's in hay, oily rags, or nitrate film, can result in a fire. 
With the information given in this section, you can prevent the threat of 
spontaneous combustion.

Apparently, fire isn't caused by cellulose nitrate in good condition. But 
in the advanced stages of decomposition, self ignition takes place at 
sustained temperatures only slightly above 38°C (100°F). If undetected, 
heat producing deterioration and high temperatures, with consequent heat 
buildup, coincide. Such combustion isn't nearly so spontaneous as its name 
seems to imply!

Storage Vaults and Conditions
Carefully examine all the materials known to be on nitrate base. Detecting 
unstable nitrate film is by far the most important way to preserve this 
material. If decomposition isn't found quickly, complete destruction of 
the film record may result. Spot inspection only needs to be done once a 
year if you follow the recommended storage conditions, and once every 3 
months if adverse conditions exist. Any nitrate film that is badly buckled 
or sticky is in an advanced stage of decomposition.

You may be able to duplicate some of these badly buckled or deteriorated 
films, or they may yield a fair quality print. Urgency is the word. If the 
film base is heavily stained and moisture from our breath makes the 
gelatin slightly sticky, the negatives or prints must be duplicated within 
2 years while maintaining proper storage conditions.

Never wet a decomposing nitrate base negative; the gelatin may be readily 
dissolved. If you must remove surface dirt, use a quality cleaner 
carefully. Many old negatives have an iridescent dichroic or silver 
sulfide stain, usually on the surface of the gelatin. This is a further 
sign of old and deteriorated film.

Store these negatives only in small quantities and in different locations. 
The production of chemical vapors and heat from large concentrations of 
nitrate films demands special storage conditions with a special exhaust 
and ventilation system. This storage area should never be near safety 
films.

Never store any nitrate base materials in sealed containers or without 
ventilation. Such dead storage simply increases the rate of decomposition. 
Pack the reels loosely in ventilated metal boxes or cabinets, and store 
them in a room apart from all other photographic materials. Do not let the 
storage area temperature exceed 21°C (70°F). If you achieve a lower 
temperature without increasing relative humidity above 45 percent, that s 
even better. Relative humidity below 40 percent retards decomposition even 
more, but makes the film more brittle.

For longer storage, use an approved storage vault. The standards for 
design, construction, and use of storage cabinets and vaults for 
historical nitrate films are based on years of experience by the National 
Board of Fire Underwriters and are supported by the experience of the 
National Archives and the National Bureau of Standards.

The important principles supporting the Underwriters' regulations are 
based on

elimination of all possible means of starting a fire 
control of, and protection against, the spread of fire 
segregation of large quantities of film into small protected units 
ample provision for safety to human life 
proper ventilation and exhaust system 
These are the important reasons behind every detail of an approved 
building construction, self closing fire doors, exits, vents, light 
fixtures, electrical systems, heating equipment, and automatic sprinklers, 
etc.

Vaults for commercial storage are limited to 750 cubic feet with a vent 
area not less than 200 square inches per 1,000 pounds, or a total of 2,000 
square inches for the standard size vault. A sprinkler is required for 
every 62.5 cubic feet of space or 12 for a 750 cubic foot vault.

Vaults for long term storage are limited to 100 cubic feet with a vent 
area of at least 2,670 square inches, and with no less than eight 
sprinklers. Both sprinklers and ventilation provide about five times the 
safeguards suggested for that of commercial storage.

Shelves in long term film vaults should be divided into individual 
compartments with not less than 3/4 inch thick non combustible insulating 
material. Each compartment should hold only one, or at most two, film 
containers.

The ceiling water sprinklers should be directed so that all shelves will 
be drenched in the event of fire. The individual containers will protect 
the film from water damage.

Air conditioning systems in film vaults should be installed according to 
regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Automatic fire 
dampers should be installed in the air ducts so that a fire in one vault 
will not spread to another and so that the toxic gases given off will not 
be distributed to other rooms, but will be vented outside. The 
Underwriters' regulations do not provide for control of air temperature 
and relative humidity in the storage of nitrate film other than that 
temperatures must not exceed 21°C (70°F). This is a safety precaution. 
Additional precautions are required from the standpoint of film 
preservation.

Nitrate Storage Conditions
The air conditions recommended for nitrate film storage are listed below. 
For temporary or medium term storage, temperatures up to 21°C (70°F) at 
relative humidities between 20 and 50 percent are considered satisfactory. 
Where this maximum temperature and humidity are exceeded and complete air 
conditioning is unavailable, dehumidification by machine would be of some 
advantage. Cooling alone, without automatic relative humidity control, is 
also beneficial, since a considerable amount of moisture can be condensed 
out of the air on cooling coils. Remember that all nitrate films are at 
least 40 years old. If possible,

Nitrate Film Storage

Film Type Medium Term Storage Long Term Storage 
Temperature Relative Humidity(%) Temperature Relative Humidity(%) 
B & W below 21 degree C (70 degree F) 20 - 50 below 10 degree C (50 degree 
F) 20 - 50 
Color below 21 degree C(70 degree F) 20 - 50 below 0 degree C(32 degree F) 
20 - 30 

you should store them as recommended for films of long term historical 
value, but because of their nature, they should be copied and then 
destroyed. Proper nitrate film storage conditions require some expense to 
achieve. Lower relative humidities than those recommended would retard 
decomposition of nitrate film and fading of color images even more, but 
most experts agree that the risk of brittleness with old nitrate film is 
too great. Remember that color and nitrate base films do not qualify for 
extended If e expectancy in the hundreds of years. But proper storage 
conditions can prolong their useful life. For the American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI) and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) for 
nitrate storage recommendations, refer to ANSI/NFPA Standard 40 1988, 
Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film. Caution: 
Never seal nitrate film in an airtight container at any time. The gases 
and heat created while in storage must be allowed to escape.

Disposal
Since films on nitrate base are relatively unstable, and certainly very 
flammable, "protection" copies should be made using the best 
available/affordable technology, for example, copies on stable ESTAR base 
films. However, since first-generation elements in good condition usually 
provide better image quality than any copy, they are worth preserving even 
after copies have been made. They should be destroyed only if the are in a 
seriously deteriorated condition that poses a serious risk to the nitrate 
film storage facility, or other films in storage. Properly preserved 
first-generation elements will provide the best available image quality 
for future restorations, as restoration technology continues to improve.

Never discard nitrate film into ordinary trash containers or into routine 
disposals. Check with the local environmental agency for safe disposal. 
Never mix nitrate base film with safety film that will be sent for silver 
recovery.

You must handle unstable or deteriorated nitrate films much like you would 
explosives. Keep such films underwater in an open suitable steel drum 
until disposal can be arranged. Regard as unstable any substantial 
quantity of films, whatever their apparent condition.

The safest and most environmentally sound method of disposal for nitrate 
films is high temperature, supervised incineration (but not in roll form, 
could explode) coupled with effective air pollution control. If on site 
facilities are not available, a commercial, environmentally certified 
waste disposal firm should be utilized. Open burning of waste nitrate film 
is dangerous as well as regulated by local, state, and federal 
environmental laws. Danger: Nitrate film should never be burned in a 
heating furnace because the gases generated by the burning produce high 
pressure (explosive) and are highly toxic!

Help for Owners of Nitrate Base Film
Nitrate base films have been out of common use so long (since about 
1951-52) that expertise in handling them is not commonly offered, but 
there are facilities that do offer this service. Unless you are an expert 
concerning the characteristics of nitrate films in various stages of 
decomposition, don't unroll the films. Let the experts do it. For help 
determining the historical (not monetary) value of any material on nitrate 
base, contact a local historical film association or International Film 
Archive, FIAF Secretariat, rue Franz Merjay 190, 1180 Brussels, Belgium. 
If they can't help you, they'll direct you to someone who can. If the film 
has value or you decide to have it duplicated, even if it isn't unique, 
one of the film archives can give you advice on the procedures for 
arranging duplication.

Note: Nitrate base films can't be mailed, so you will need to arrange some 
other method of conveying them.

And so we bid a fond farewell to nitrate base film a great pioneer 
resource, still highly valued, but always a challenge to our most careful 
film handling and storage techniques.

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