Ensure your microfilms are being processed to Archivally Permanent Standards by having a Methylene Blue Test conducted on your recently processed microfilms.
It is widely accepted that microfilm has an archival permanence capability of 500 years, often referred to as LE500 (Life Expectancy 500 years). This potential life span is dependant upon the quality of the processing procedure through to which the film is subjected. It is often overlooked that there is a test available to check the optimum conditions required for longevity are in place.
The Methylene Blue, or Residual Thiosulfate Test, is a process used to check whether a microfilm processor conforms to industry standards in terms of processed film quality. To ensure the optimum life expectancy of a film it needs to be ensured it is washed properly, removing all residue of the processing chemicals and silver compounds. If any chemicals remain on the film after processing a general degradation of the information may occur over time leading to a potential loss of critical data.
It is perhaps in the current business climate that it is more important than ever that organisations do everything within their ability to ensure important information is not lost. By having a Methylene Blue test performed on a blank sample of your film on a periodic basis you can prove that you are doing all within your capacity to guarantee you or your clients’ information.
You must ensure that we receive the test film sample within 10 days of processing the film.