This technical offprint from Museum News describes the history, degradation, detection (identification) and fire hazards of cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) negative films, and methods for salvaging (preserving) emulsion images as used by the Eastman Kodak Company and Smithsonian Institution. Chemical stability and rate of deterioration are affected by the film's manufacture, processing, storage environment and handling. Nitrate film may be detected by spot tests, or visibly in advanced stages of degradation. Techniques for transferring the image-bearing emulsion (pellicle) to a new safety (eg. Polyester) support are similar to those based on U.S. Patent # 2, 992,100. Experiments and accelerated aging tests using Acryloid B72 and polyurethane coatings, and a support containing Kodak Matrix Film 4150 gelatin are underway, but research into more economical methods are urgently required. This article is a reference for safety, and conservation of photographic and archival collections.