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Question

Black sooty marks on CD inserts!

Oct 4, 2011 8:56PM PDT

Hi everyone!

Am I the only one that has noticed this? I have a lot of CDs, both singles in slimline cases and albums in more traditional jewel box cases. Most are stored within plastic resealable pouches which are then kept in storage boxes. Pretty secure from dust, right? Wrong! At least, I think it's dust that's the issue. I have noticed that the inserts/booklets of the CDs (say over 5 years old) have developed black/grey sooty, dusty marks, usually on the side that is directly facing the disc. The sootiness is usually around the plastic tabs that holds the insert or booklet in place and is almost exclusively confined to the top and bottom of the inserts, never the centre etc. And boy, is it impossible to clean off! It's worse of course if the insert is white. As the marks do not clean off, I know that I will have to live with the situation, but it always puzzles me what the 'soot' is and where the hell it comes from? This is especially puzzling as the discs and cases are pretty much sealed. I'm even beginning to wonder if it's residue from degradation of the plastic of the case (even though is happens with CDs with no black plastic in the case structure) or even the CD itself? Anyone any ideas please? Happy

Discussion is locked

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Answer
(NT) Try a microscope, high power. Mold?
Oct 13, 2011 8:51AM PDT
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Don;t think so..
Oct 18, 2011 6:21AM PDT

Nope! Dry as a bone, so can;t be mold. It's a VERY fine dust that sticks to the pasltic and paper and just smudges, does NOT come off.

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Answer
might be
Oct 17, 2011 3:28AM PDT

mildew

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What a
Oct 18, 2011 4:00AM PDT

fungi

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Answer
Don't think so
Oct 18, 2011 6:22AM PDT

The conditions are too dry to be mildew and there is no odur associated...

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Nope!
Oct 18, 2011 6:22AM PDT

Conditions are too dry for that...