The problem is temperature. At sub-zero temperatures, these reactions are temperature dependent and they exponentially slow down the lower the temperature is. H

The problem is temperature. At sub-zero temperatures, these reactions are temperature dependent and they exponentially slow down the lower the temperature is. Here's a table from a monograph written by an expert, Effects of Cold Storage on Acetate Base Film . Lifetime for New Film, Years Storage Conditions 45 70˚F at 50%RH 175 55˚F at 40%RH 1900 30˚F at 30%RH (using a refrigerator) 1600 30˚F at 30%RH + 5 days-out-of-storage/year 31,500 0˚F at 30%RH (using upright freezer) 1900 0˚F at 30%RH + 5 days-out-of-storage/year 110,000 -15˚F at 30%RH (using commercial freezer) 1900 -15˚F at 30%RH + 5 days-out-of-storage/year Source, https://cool.culturalheritage.org/videopreservation/library/cold_storage_of_cultural_artifacts_16v.pdf https://cool.culturalheritage.org/videopreservation/library/... > The library plans to dispose of its acetate film collection after the rare film reels and microfiches have been copied over, in part due to health and safety concerns. In its most advanced state Duncan says vinegar syndrome can cause contact burns, as well as irritation to the nose and lungs. The real story here isn't that the film is decaying, but rather that we don't want these films to rot away while, at the same time, not valuing them enough to chuck them in a freezer and pay for the cooling bills.