Mold on 50-year-old Undeveloped Film?

[MattKing]

This and other posts seem to include an assumption that the static is being induced at the time you handle the film prior to development.
The static could have been induced any time during the film's life.
My source is quite familiar with quality control issues in older film materials

 

[Steve Cohen]

Thanks, Matt. Needless to say, I have no idea when the damage was done. But you and others had indicated that it might be happening when the roll is unwound. ("The film would have been wound for so long that it's all core-set, curled up, and most likely somewhat blocked. When the roll is unwound, the film discharges at the point of separation which usually begins at the edges and runs inward.") And Don Heisz suggested I try unspooling a roll under water. With nothing to lose, I figured I'd try it. Mold or static, it doesn't really matter anymore since there is apparently nothing to be done.

 

[AgX]

Concerning the density effect of static discharge, one also might consider solarisation.