Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Fire and explosion
Private individuals and voluntary groups may come into contact with old film in their home or at other non-workplace premises. Old cinematographic film and old photographic negatives (including X-ray film) may be made from cellulose nitrate.
Cellulose nitrate film can be very dangerous; it catches fire easily and once alight is difficult to put out.
The free HSE leaflet ‘The dangers of cellulose nitrate film’ gives more information.
