My brother and sister-in-law operate a disaster recovery service for
tape (video, audio, data). They have already begun processing
material damaged by Katrina. For anyone involved in recovery after
Katrina he advised the following:
1. Don't panic tape is amost always recoverable.
2. Do not dry/freeze dry contaminated tape. The result can be a
chemical/mineral crust that is virtually impossible to remove. And
while paper records can be read through stains, tape cannot.
3. While washing or rinsing off contamination is not a bad idea, the
chlorine in drinking water will damage tape. Distilled water is
preferred.
4. wet tapes should be kept "cool" to retard further damage.
As this is a moderated list I did not feel it was appropriate to post
contact information for their company. However I would be glad to if
the moderator will allow it. Otherwise contact me off list. For what
it is worth I get nothing.
James H. Brothers IV