Cellulose acetate is subject to a slow form of chemical deterioration known as the "vinegar syndrome." The main symptoms of this form of deteroration are a vinegar-like odor, buckling, shrinking, and embrittlement of the tape or cellulose disc. Proper storage conditions can aid in slowing down the process. Cellulose acetate based formats should not be stored in air-tight boxes as this will exacerbate the condition.

Detecting Vinegar-Syndrome

The Image Permanence Institute has developed A-D Strips, which can be used to objectively and accurately determine the presence of vinegar syndrome. Their IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film, a four-part publication, includes a calculating wheel which relates film storage to how long film will last, and explains the relationship between temperature, relative humidity and vinegar syndrome. Together, the Guide and the A-D Strips make a kind of "do-it-your-self film preservation kit." One is a diagnostic tool and the other explains what is going wrong with film and tells how to extend its life through better storage. The IPI Storage Guide costs $25.00 and includes detailed information on vinegar syndrome. The A-D Strips cost $45.00 per package; each package includes 250 detector strips and instructions for use. Image Permanence Institute 70 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5604 (716) 475-5199 fax: (716)475-7230.

Another way to detect Vinegar Syndrome is through the use of a small button which is placed onto the side of a can made by Dancan in Denmark and BTT in Hamburg, Germany. These small buttons react with the environment inside the can in such a way that when the air inside reaches a certain acidic level, they turn from green to yellow, indicating that the film is deteriorating.

Vinegar-Syndrome

Molecular sieves behave like chemical sponges, minimizing the effects of vinegar syndrome by lowering the moisture and absorbing the damaging acid contaminants. To help prevent the vinegar syndrome, films should be stored in clean, rust-free metal containers. (The reason the cans must be rust free is because oxide, or rust, is a catalyst for the vinegar syndrome.) The sieves cost 25 cents each; depending on the size of your film cans, three to six are suggested. To obtain additional information, or the actual sieves, contact FPC, 6677 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038, (800) 814-1333.