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Vinegar Syndrome
Core Term Definition
The colloquial term for the chemical decomposition of cellulose acetate safety film, marked by a sharp vinegar odor.
Technical Analysis & Context
When cellulose acetate film is stored in warm, humid conditions, it undergoes a chemical reaction known as deacetylation. Acetic acid is released, creating a strong vinegar smell. As it worsens, the film shrinks, twists, loses elasticity, and eventually decomposes into a brittle, sticky, un-scannable mass.