Microbes could be threatening our cultural heritage by degrading historic cinematographic film and even preventing some valuable footage to be archived at all.

Mr Gavin Bingley who is presenting his work at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting in Nottingham today describes how fungal growth on cinema film can not only lead to deterioration of the film but may also pose a risk to the archivist.

"Fungi that form mould on film reels produce enzymes that enable them to use components of the film for growth, leading to degradation of the film," explained Mr Bingley from Manchester Metropolitan University. "If the film is especially mouldy, high numbers of spores can be released into the air, which means they could also be considered as a health risk."

Submit 'Fungal threat to archived film' to Twitter   Submit 'Fungal threat to archived film' to Facebook      

Leave a Comment



Discuss   Tell a friend   Bury Print Preview

Comments Who Voted Related Links