Quantifying acidic pollutants and airflow requirements in cool film storage 

Project summary

This project will investigate how air movement affects the preservation of cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate photographic film stored in cool archival environments. Using environmental monitoring and pollutant sampling within working cold-storage vaults, the research will measure how organic acids accumulate around degrading film and determine the minimum level of air circulation needed to prevent harmful pollutant hotspots while maintaining low-energy storage conditions.

The project will provide the first evidence-based guidance on safe airflow thresholds for cool film storage, supporting the development of more sustainable environmental management strategies for photographic archives. By combining heritage science with practical conservation challenges, the findings will improve the long-term preservation of vulnerable film collections, inform sector-wide best practice, and help archives balance energy efficiency with the protection of nationally significant photographic heritage.