Dear Histonet,
I have inherited several jars of parlodion strips. They are not in their 
original container so I don't know who the manufacturer is? They are dry 
strips in glass jars with the lids screwed on tight. I know this is 
nitrocellulose and it is (or is similar to celloidin). I read the MSDS 
for parlodion and it says: "Presents an unusually severe fire hazard; 
when dry, ignites readly and burns explosively. Should never be kept for 
any appreciable time in any dry fibrous state. Unstabilized product 
decomposes generally at relatively low temperature, with evolution of 
copious volumes of toxic and flammable gases..."

Hmmm....I would imagine 10 to 20 years would count as an "appreciable 
(storage) time"...

I talked to our hazardous waste dept. and they said if I don't need it 
then I shouldn't keep it. I would send it off to hazardous waste EXCEPT 
when I was in Long Beach several people were talking about how expensive 
celloidin is and if they could afford it they would use it. I feel 
guilty just throwing it away!

Is it really expensive? Am I storing it wrong? Should I dispose of it?

Thanks,
Sharron Ladd
University of South Florida