A Risk Assessment of Piql Services by FFI

nearby chemical plant. We chose chlorine gas as the culprit. Yet, our understanding is that the piqlBox and piqlFilm would react similarly to a variety of chemical agents, so the effects are transferrable. The piqlBox is somewhat chemically inert, i.e. non-active. The PP of the piqlBox is normally chemically resistant at ambient room temperatures, and most chemical compounds will have little immediate effect on the box. Problems may arise later in the form of reduced longevity. Acids and bases have no or only minor effects on the piqlBox, but strong oxidative chemicals, for instance ozone, will oxidise the material and lead to reduced longevity. 34 Specifically with regards to chlorine gas, the reactive gas can make the chemical bonds in the PP break and cause the material to crack. However, for the negative effects of chlorine gas to become evident, higher temperatures and more humidity in the air are required. At 20° Celsius and normal levels of humidity, the damage is almost non-existent. We need temperatures of 60° Celsius and large amounts of water in the air to be able to see severe damage [48]. Contrary to the piqlBox, the piqlFilm is very susceptible to the negative effects of chemical gases. As the piqlBox is not air-tight, the gas will come in contact with the piqlFilm. The PET of the piqlFilm, as a polyester, is degraded by very strong acids and bases, especially when exposed to the compounds for longer periods of time in higher temperatures. When the compounds are mixed with water, the effects are worsened. 35 For instance, the PET is resistant to chlorine gas which is dry at 15° Celsius, but not resistant at 66° Celsius. When the gas is wet, however, the PET is not resistant at either temperature. That means that a sufficient level of humidity in the air can make the chlorine gas cause severe damage to the base of the piqlFilm [49]. As with the risks presented by exposure to water, however, it is the gelatine in the emulsion layer which is the weakest link. Because it is a protein, it will dissolve completely at very little exposure and will react violently with corrosive gases such as chlorine gas. 36 We did not include a scenario which describes how the Piql Preservation Services reacts to harmful microorganisms in our scenario analysis. However, we thought it important to include, especially as the properties and thus reactions of the piqlBox and piqlFilm are quite similar when exposed to both chemical agents and biological agents. The piqlBox is biologically inert, i.e. biological compounds have little or no influence on the piqlBox. The piqlFilm, however, cannot be described as being biologically inert. The PET of the film is resistant, but the gelatine in the emulsion on the piqlFilm, as a protein, is very biodegradable. Though the presence of silver, which is an effective biocide, in the photosensitive emulsion could protect the gelatine, gelatine is known to be degraded by fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms and dissolves at exposure to harmful microorganisms. 37 9.1.9 Harmful Microorganisms

34 The properties and qualities of the piqlBox and piqlFilm were discussed in a telephone meeting with Espen Ommundsen, Principal Researcher at Norner AS, and Yvonne Hed, Researcher at Norner AS, on 17.09.15. 35 The properties and qualities of the piqlBox and piqlFilm were discussed in a telephone meeting with Espen Ommundsen, Principal Researcher at Norner AS, and Yvonne Hed, Researcher at Norner AS, on 17.09.15. 36 Ibid . 37 Ibid. Additional information from email correspondence with Svein Jamtvedt, Principal Researcher at Norner AS, on 27.05.16.

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FFI-RAPPORT 16/00707