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AIRPORT X-RAY ALERT

This information is presented as an alert to travelers carrying unprocessed film. A new FAA-certifiedexplosive detection system is being used in more than 50 international airports to examine (x-ray) luggage. The InVision CTX-5000SP, produced by InVision Technologies, Inc., employs conventional x-ray and cat scan technology. The system pre-scans baggage to evaluate it for any potential threat (explosive), then scans further using a focused, more intense narrow width beam if suspicious materials are detected. This concentrated high energy beam (1cm wide / 100 - 300 mR in power) is causing fog damage unprocessed photographic films. By comparison, older, conventional x-ray inspection units produced less than 1mR of energy and after "many" passes through these systems, unprocessed films could exhibit a radiation caused effect. Systems employing this new technology start with an initial inspection at lower x-ray intensity. If anything is deemed suspicious about the shape, size or content of objects in the luggage, it automatically triggers additional scanning with the CTX-5000SP machine.

The silver halide content of film and the metal container it may be packaged in are sufficient to trigger a high intensity x-ray scan. Conventional precautions such as wrapping unprocessed film in lead-lined containers will also trigger use of the CTX-5000SP. These high intensity rays will penetrate the lead lining and fog the film. So far, the CTX-5000SP is not typically used to inspect carry-on luggage, but the FAA has indicated that this practice is subject to change in the future.

Tests conducted by the Photo Industry Marketing Association (PIMA) indicate that the CTX-5000SP will cause significant fogging of all unprocessed color negative films with an ISO speed of 100 or higher with the film sustains a direct hit by the machine’s high intensity x-ray beam. The orientation of the fog stripe is dependent upon the orientation of the film relative to the x-ray beam. The density of the fog stripe depends upon the film speed; the faster the film the more dense the stripe. Additionally, whether this stripe is seen in the photographic print may depend upon the scene content. Busy scenes with flowers, foliage, etc. may tend to obscure or lessen the x-ray effects.

A sample of unexposed 16mm film that has been scanned by the CTX-5000SP runs adjacent to this column and is presented here to give the reader some idea of its appearance and severity. This particular piece of film is Kodak VISION 320T Color Negative Film (7277).

Kodak suggests a number of common sense precautions: Never ship unprocessed film as checked luggage with commercial airlines. If you plan to hand-carry unprocessed film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airline security office well in advance of your flight time and see if they will agree to conduct a manual inspection. Bring a light-tight changing bag in case it is needed.

The Kodak Professional Motion Imaging division can deliver motion picture film to most parts of the world safely and will provide information about the locations of motion picture film processing laboratories.

Check the policies of commercial package and mail carriers and reputable courier services regarding x-ray scanning in the cities where you will be receiving and shipping unprocessed film. Kodak can assist in making arrangements.

Be cautious with short-ends and other film purchased from re-sellers. Ask about the source of the film, and consider shooting a test before you use it in production. Explore this website for additional practical information or call 1-800-621-FILM (3456) with questions regarding this alert.