AIC's 46th Annual Meeting

Is deteriorated cellulose nitrate film relatively inert, "comparable to the flammability of paper," as ISO standards state, or is it shock sensitive, presumably more like an explosive, as the Kodak MSDS for cellulose nitrate film tells us? Disparities about cellulose nitrate film abound in the literature which then pose challenges for the conservator and collections care professional in making choices for these materials. Strict government regulations about storage, handling and transportation -- based on conflicting information in the literature -- compound the problem. The purpose of the Wisconsin Nitrate Film Project was to understand the chemical processes by which cellulose nitrate decomposes and to ascertain whether deteriorated nitrate film stock is more dangerous than nitrate stock in good condition. The project sought to establish the validity of the five-stage classification model for cellulose nitrate degradation, to understand the friction sensitivity of cellulose nitrate "brown powder," to closely investigate the role that relative humidity plays in degradation pathways and to engage with the regulatory community which establishes handling and storage requirements for cellulose nitrate. This presentation describes the results of three avenues of research undertaken during this NEH funded project: Chemical and physical testing on samples of heritage nitrate film (still and motion picture); evidence gathered through oral histories, a survey of archives, and the creation of an extensive annotated bibliography of cellulose nitrate related literature; and it describes our interactions with the National Fire Protection Association. Future research and advocacy needs are defined.