X-rays, heat and other ills...

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was not going to say anything but cannot resist when my name is
implicated...

>One thing I've observed about all of these anecdotal reports of taking
>film through X-ray with "no problems", is that not one person has tried
>the scientific approach of passing some film through, and having some of
>the same type of film hand-inspected, then comparing the results. 

Such studies have been done and published in many photographic magazines
and it was concluded that there is no noticeable difference even with much
faster speed films.  We don't need to reinvent the wheel, do we?

>Of course you can always adopt Dr. T's "don't worry" approach, but
>personally I'd be VERY disappointed if all of my once-in-a-lifetime
>vacation stereos were reduced in quality by avoidable exposure to
>airport X-rays.  Key word here is "avoidable".

If it helps you sleep better, then go ahead and put your film in lead
containers and store it in the safe in your hotel or carry it with you in
appropriately refrigerated storage containers anywhere you go.  There is
plenty of evidence that much more damage is done by not processing the film
quickly enough or by leaving it get hot in cars, etc. than by passing it
through airport x-ray machines.  Instead of looking for cheap insurance, I
try to recognize what does and what does not make a difference.

There is also some remote probability that your "once-in-a-lifetime
vacation stereos" get damaged/lost by the processor after you come back
from your vacation. And yet, I don't see you sweating or losing any sleep
over that either...  And yes, it could be avoided if you had used a better
processor than your $2.95/36 roll drugstore or if you personally hand
delivered the films and stayed around to supervise the guys doing the work!

Sh-t happens!  Just relax and enjoy life (and 3d)!  That's my motto!

-- George Themelis


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