I'm reluctant to step in here where experts might have a different opinion, but it's my feeling that x-rays and film (not moving image) should be treated like other photographic materials, especially like negatives. My impression is that x-rays are negatives and should be preserved as such: housed in PAT-safe materials (whether polyester or paper), stored flat if possible or if vertical then supported in a relatively tight environment so they do not curl. If the "g banding" film is motion-picture film, it should be supported on a reel (preferably archivally safe plastic) and stored vertically. (All media that are stored on reels should be allowed to hang from the reel instead of being stored flat, to avoid scoring edges of imperfectly wound tape or film). For more information on visual materials, I'd recommend the IMAGELIB listserv (http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=IMAGELIB <http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=IMAGELIB&H=LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU> &H=LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU) or the Association of Moving Image Archivists site and listserv (http://www.amianet.org/). The Northeast Document Conservation Center is also a great resource. For instance, you can determine whether your x-ray film could be cellulose nitrate, with accompanying storage and preservation problems, from http://www.nedcc.org/leaflets/nitrate.htm, and view general guidelines for care of photographic materials at http://www.nedcc.org/leaflets/phocar.pdf. (usual disclaimer-my opinion, not my institution, etc.) Arel Arel Lucas, C.A. Archives/Special Collections Librarian Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott Campus _____ From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley W. Brunet Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 8:52 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: faint cry for help - x-rays and other medical material Please post replies to the list. I have some film, unknown type, that is used to show g banding of chromosomes. FY - Definition of g banding: Technique for producing banding patterns in eukaryotic chromosomes. Bands are produced by staining with Giemsa stain after pretreating chromosomes with trypsin. Each homologous chromosome pair has a unique pattern of g-bands, enabling recognition of particular chromosomes. http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-G/g-ba nding.html Thanks! Lesley W. Brunet Manager, Historical Resources Center University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center 713-792-8220 713-563-3650 (fax) Kevan Warner <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: Archives & Archivists <[log in to unmask]> 09/13/2006 09:11 AM Please respond to Kevan Warner To: [log in to unmask] cc: Subject: faint cry for help I am loathe to trouble you all with a small problem from the far edge of civiliztion 'but' Can some kind soul point me to or supply some standards for the long term storage of x-rays. we have some my sincere thanks A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>