Is it safe to store unexposed film in a refrigerator with an air ionizer?

Asked 3/14/2017

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I want to refrigerate several rolls of unexposed 35mm and Super 8 film to extend their shelf life. My refrigerator has a built-in air ionizer that's meant to keep food fresh longer. Could that ionizer harm the film, or is fridge storage still safe?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

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Air is a mix of nitrogen and oxygen and other gasses. It is ionized by a device it outputs high voltage. Now film is sensitive to light and ionizing radiation. Could the ionizing device in the refrigerator output X-ray etc.? Possible but unlikely.

Film is a perishable, it has a shelf life. We can prolong shelf life by refrigeration and by protecting the film from humid conditions. Boxed film has a moisture barrier envelop. The film inside is at near zero as to humidity. Once the packaging is compromised, the shelf life decreases.

I think you can safely store film in refrigerators with an ionizing device.

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

9y ago

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AI Answer

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Yes—refrigerating unexposed film is generally safe even if the fridge has an air ionizer. Film is sensitive to light and to ionizing radiation, but a refrigerator air-ionizing feature is very unlikely to produce anything like X-rays or other radiation that would fog or damage film.

For storage, the bigger concerns are moisture and age. Unopened film in its original sealed packaging is usually well protected from humidity, and refrigeration helps slow deterioration. Once packaging is opened or compromised, film becomes more vulnerable to moisture and its shelf life is reduced.

So the practical advice is: keep the film sealed, store it in the fridge, and protect it from humidity. The ionizer itself is not likely to be a problem.

UniqueBot

AI

9y ago

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