The Measurement and Control of Dirt in Motion Picture Processing Laboratories

The commonest sources of contamination of motion picture film in processing laboratories are discussed, and suggestions are made for preventing foreign matter finding its way onto the surface of the film. The “tacky-dish” technique and other methods of detection of dirt sources are described, and examples are given of surveys made in actual Hollywood laboratories. — The film handled in processing laboratories can be contaminated by dirt associated with the outside air used in the laboratory, by personnel, by mechanical equipment, or by processing solutions. It has been found that when there are complaints about dirt, etc., a systematic investigation usually reveals the source of the trouble quickly. This is particularly true if quantitative measurements are taken. These data allow one to construct a flow sheet which indicates the place where dirt is entering the system. The new tools used for this purpose are the smoke recorder, the “tacky-dish,” and the method of “lifting” samples. The Greenough microscope is a most useful and almost indispensable adjunct. — The choice of air filtration systems and the proper kinds of uniforms are also discussed briefly.

Print ISSN

0097-5834

Published

1946-03

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J11843