PDO stops replacing bronced CDs
For the past 15 years there has been a Helpline operating at the site of what was once Philips & Du Pont Optical UK Ltd (PDO) to replace CDs that have corroded due a manufacturing error for which PDO acknowledged responsibility. Between 1988 and 1993 they used a lacquer that was not suitable to withstand the corrosive effect of the sulphur content of paper used in the printing of CD booklets and other paper parts.
Several Bernard Herrmann CDs issued on the Unicorn Label are possibly affected.
The symptoms of corrosion are obvious. Audibly it manifests first towards the end of the disc (i.e. the outer edge) and sounds not unlike rhythmic LP surface noise. Visibly it manifests as a coppery-bronze discoloration, usually on the edge of the label side of the disc. (NB: It is NOT the overall yellow tint which is common to all PDO pressings. This is due to the addition of a tiny amount of yellow dye which PDO used to add to the polycarbonate for cosmetic purposes.)
This service stops November 30, 2006 !!!
PLEASE POST ONLY THE PHYSICAL CD’S , DO NOT SEND ANY CASES OR BOOKLETS TO:
ANDREA HOYLE
PDO HELPLINE
PHILIPS ROAD
BLACKBURN
LANCASHIRE
BB1 5RZ
ENGLAND