---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 10:16:50 -0600
From: Dan Lester <dan@riverofdata.com>
Subject: Re: Microfilm disposal (Tracey Delillo)

Wednesday, May 23, 2001, 5:37:02 PM, you wrote:

> We have a small box full of old microfilm reels that we need to discard.
> We have unsuccessfully attempted to give them away, and are now faced
> with actually throwing them away (i know, i know, it's a horrid thing,
> but my "collection" of useless items has begun to take over my
> office...).  My question is:  is old microfilm dangerous (as in
> explosive or harmful to the environment), and if so, can anyone suggest
> a disposal service?

If it is silver microfilm (as opposed to diazo), you may find someone
that will take it.  Silver film can be recycled to capture the silver
salts.  The most likely place to do so would be a large photo
processing lab, or a company the lab would refer you to.

> forgive me if this seems like a silly question - i'm still haunted by a
> preservation class i took 3 years ago in which we discussed the explosive
> and otherwise toxic properties of old film.

That is OLD film, typically pre WWII, before they invented safety
film, which is almost definitely what you have on hand.  The old film
is usually very old motion pictures.  That film is highly flammable
and dangerous.  Also, some of it contained poisons such as arsenic.

I don't believe the film base of safety film is harmful to the
environment, but it also will not biodegrade for a very long time.
However, I don't know of anyone that will recycle it, except for the
recycling done to capture the silver salts.

--
Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan@RiverOfData.com
3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115 USA
www.riverofdata.com  www.postcard.org  www.gailndan.com