Subject: Sending/taking unprocessed film by mail or plane
Reply-to: "Tom A. Trottier"<Tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date sent: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 08:52:54 -0500
To: kodachrome@xxxxxxxx
From: Ron Schwarz <hacksaw-1tooth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Kodachrome] From another list
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Fuji does not paint a pretty picture.
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With all that has been said about film safety and the US Mail as well as
carrying film while traveling, I thought everyone should see this statement
from Fuji Photofilm USA.
Bob Shell
New Postal Service and Increased Airport Scanning Procedures Fog
Photographic Film
In an effort to make the skies and United States mail safer after the
tragic events of September 11th, new and increased scanning procedures
have been put in place by both the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the
airline industry. Unfortunately, these recent changes put photographic
film at risk of fogging and exposure.
In airports around the country, the use of baggage scanners to detect
explosive devices has been increased. Because of its silver content and
metal canisters, photographic film, especially large packages or bundles
of film, appears particularly suspect. Unfortunately, the scanners are
fogging undeveloped film left in checked baggage. Unlike the airport
x-ray equipment of the past, which had little or no effect on unprocessed
film, the International Imaging Industry Association, Inc. (I3A) has
tested these scanners at the request of the FAA and determined they have
the potential to fog both unprocessed color and black and white film.
Processed film is unaffected.
As of October 27th, the USPS has begun purchasing electron beam scanning
equipment for use in sterilizing mail and eliminating any possible
exposure to anthrax. This electron beam technology will fully expose
undeveloped film as if it were exposed to sunlight. At this time, we do
not have complete information regarding the extent to which these
scanners will be used or when the USPS will begin using them. As we
receive additional information, we will update this document to remain
current with these events.
While we applaud the FAA, airline industry and USPS in their efforts to
ensure that checked baggage and mail are safe, we also realize that your
pictures are very important to you and want to do all we can to see that
your photographic memories are preserved. We offer the following
suggestions to help you avoid damage to your film from airline scanners.
We do not currently have information regarding any safeguards that may be
taken to protect film sent via the USPS.
* Make sure there is no unprocessed film in your checked baggage.
* Carry your undeveloped film with you as carry-on baggage and ask for
hand inspection whenever possible. Place film in a separate mesh or clear
plastic bag for easy identification by airport security.
* When carrying large amounts of unprocessed film, contact the airline
prior to your flight to arrange for a special baggage inspection. When
possible, send your film via a cargo carrier that will certify that the
film will not be x-rayed. The FAA and I3A are currently working on
guidelines with respect to this situation.
* At some airports, passengers may be randomly selected from the
carry-on baggage check line and their carry-on luggage scanned as checked
baggage. Please be aware that this scan will fog film. If you are asked
to step into another line, remove your film from your carry-on baggage.
* In time, security measures at airports may increase, and stronger
scanners may be used to scan even carry-on baggage. Be aware of the signs
in the airport; most carry-on baggage scanners, at this time, will be
marked as "Film Safe" if they will not damage your film.
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------- End of forwarded message -------
------- Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur -------------------
,__@ Tom A. Trottier +1 613 860-6633 fax:231-6115
_-\_<, 758 Albert St., Ottawa Ontario Canada K1R 7V8
(*)/'(*) ICQ:57647974 Tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx N45.412 W75.714
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Laws are the spider's webs which, if anything small falls into them
they ensnare it, but large things break through and escape.
--Solon, statesman (c.638-c558 BCE)
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin
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