dangerous chemicals

In article ,
"Ralph Trent" wrote:

If you want to avoid dangerous chemicals, then be sure to stay away from
pyro developers (pyrogallol/catechin/catechol/pyrocatechin), as they are
deadly
when absorbed through the skin (liquids) or inhaled (powders). They give
beautiful results, but should only be used with great precaution.

Actually the powder is the only part of Pyro you need to be extra
careful with, as it can burn the skin and you don't want to inhale it.

Once in liquid form just exercise normal chemical
handling precautions, using gloves and don't drink it, and wash it off
if you get some skin contacted with it.

Just common sense stuff.

--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

"Gregory Blank" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Ralph Trent" wrote:

If you want to avoid dangerous chemicals, then be sure to stay away from
pyro developers (pyrogallol/catechin/catechol/pyrocatechin), as they are
deadly
when absorbed through the skin (liquids) or inhaled (powders). They give
beautiful results, but should only be used with great precaution.

Actually the powder is the only part of Pyro you need to be extra
careful with, as it can burn the skin and you don't want to inhale it.

Once in liquid form just exercise normal chemical
handling precautions, using gloves and don't drink it, and wash it off
if you get some skin contacted with it.

Just common sense stuff.

--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

"Gregory Blank" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Ralph Trent" wrote:

If you want to avoid dangerous chemicals, then be sure to stay away from
pyro developers (pyrogallol/catechin/catechol/pyrocatechin), as they are
deadly
when absorbed through the skin (liquids) or inhaled (powders). They give
beautiful results, but should only be used with great precaution.

Actually the powder is the only part of Pyro you need to be extra
careful with, as it can burn the skin and you don't want to inhale it.

Once in liquid form just exercise normal chemical
handling precautions, using gloves and don't drink it, and wash it off
if you get some skin contacted with it.

Just common sense stuff.

--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 13:36:04 -0800, "Ralph Trent"
wrote:

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

Gads ! I wonder how Ansel ever survived the '30's ? !!

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Please remove the "_" when replying via email

B&W chemicals esp. commercially available are very benign. Liquids are the
safest. If you mix from powder don't breath the dust. If you're really
concerned a respirator is only ~US$20. There are at least 2 books on the
subject: Health Hazards for Photographers and Overexposure. Here's some fun
reading: http://www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/b...AAA.htm#gcbaba

Natural Light Black and White Photography
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze76ane/
-George-

"Beppe Alborè" wrote in message
...
i've just a little question for you:
in your opinion, are the following products carcinogenic, or carcinogenic
suspected ?

negative film developer: kodak xtol

paper developers: kodak ektaflo, kodak selectol

thanks!

B&W chemicals esp. commercially available are very benign. Liquids are the
safest. If you mix from powder don't breath the dust. If you're really
concerned a respirator is only ~US$20. There are at least 2 books on the
subject: Health Hazards for Photographers and Overexposure. Here's some fun
reading: http://www.lhc.org.uk/members/pubs/b...AAA.htm#gcbaba

Natural Light Black and White Photography
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze76ane/
-George-

"Beppe Alborè" wrote in message
...
i've just a little question for you:
in your opinion, are the following products carcinogenic, or carcinogenic
suspected ?

negative film developer: kodak xtol

paper developers: kodak ektaflo, kodak selectol

thanks!

John wrote:

On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 13:36:04 -0800, "Ralph Trent"
wrote:

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

Gads ! I wonder how Ansel ever survived the '30's ? !!


Funny you should say that. My new Adams 2005 calendar
(Xmas present) has several images from the 30s, and I
know Ansel didn't die of cancer 50 years later at the
age of 83

I generally wear latex or nitrile gloves for more toxic
chems like _selenium_. But never for hydroquinone. An
allergen to some, yes. Hydroquinone is often listed as
a possible carcinogen, but the FDA approved _sodium
nitrate_ in supermarket bologna and other commonly
consumed meats is easily a more hazardous (_proven_)
carcinogen than hydroquinone. Course I don't eat
processed meats and hope to outlive Adams

Richard J. Henry, a licensed MD and author of Controls
in Black and White photograpy, stated the overzealous
admonishions about the hazards of common darkroom
chemistry he often encountered were "strange and
questionable..." Then stated he himself never wore
gloves for common darkoom agents like hydroquinone.

FACT: Pyro can make some slightly ill, including your's
truly. Other agents do not. It depends entirely on the
individual. But "deadly"? I don't think so...



Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Please remove the "_" when replying via email

John wrote: Gads! I wonder how Ansel ever survived the '30's ? !!

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org

Please remove the "_" when replying via email


T'was the mittens saved the man! That must be it! Dan

I do recall reading somewhere that a description of Edward Weston
(1886-1958) remarked on the dark stains and discoloration of his
fingers/fingernails. I think he used a lot more pyro than Adams. (just a
guess) If you do the math he was 70-something when he passed on.

--
darkroommike

----------
"John" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 13:36:04 -0800, "Ralph Trent"
wrote:

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in
it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

Gads ! I wonder how Ansel ever survived the '30's ? !!

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Please remove the "_" when replying via email

I do recall reading somewhere that a description of Edward Weston
(1886-1958) remarked on the dark stains and discoloration of his
fingers/fingernails. I think he used a lot more pyro than Adams. (just a
guess) If you do the math he was 70-something when he passed on.

--
darkroommike

----------
"John" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 13:36:04 -0800, "Ralph Trent"
wrote:

Right, you *do* need to use gloves--it's dangerous to soak your hands in
it
(such as
when tray developing sheet film).

Gads ! I wonder how Ansel ever survived the '30's ? !!

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Please remove the "_" when replying via email