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In the NHSBSP, most screening centres use mobile screening units where the films may be processed after some time has elapsed (between 7 to 24 h under normal circumstances, but occasionally up to 72 h after the films have been exposed). Latent image fade using Kodak MinR-E film has been studied before (Robson et al 1992). The aim of this study is to determine the percentage fall in optical density from the target density using Kodak MinR2000 film with 4 cm perspex. The films were processed (see Table).

A Kodak ML300 processor was used with a 150-s cycle at 34.2°C using Kodak RP LO chemistry. Optical density measurements were taken with an X-rite densitometer (334 model). Sensitometric measurement was checked using an X-rite sensitometer (393 model).

The results obtained show that, generally, processing films at the earliest opportunity, ie on the same day, is preferable to longer time delays although the differences are minimal.

Table
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