B/W Photo Processing Dangerous or Harmful with Pregnancy?

John wrote:
: On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:14:21 GMT, Donald Qualls
: wrote:

: Photographers have show no such effect,
: even those who spend literally decades in daily darkroom work.

: Including Ansel Adams who consistently dipped his hands in
: chemicals for many years but there was no conclusive indication that
: this had any effect on him.

While I don't think most B&W chemistry is harmful I think it's best to
avoid drinking it or coming into direct contact with it. I still remember
when working on cars and lawnmowers we used to wash our hands with leaded
gasoline. In jr. high school we used asbestos gloves and boards when dealing
with alcohol lamps.

If the OP is concerned he may want to go to Kodak's website and download
the MSDSs of the chemistry his wife came into contact with.


--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

i wouldn't worry about it jason-
it's nice to see your concern for both your wife and future child.
all sarcasm aside, she would probably have to soak in a bath of fixer for a
week before any problems would arise if they did at all. i have known
several professional women photographers and they all continued darkroom
work during their pregnancies with no problems (at least not due to their
work...)
one poster's advice is best - good ventilation, frequent breaks (vericose
veins, ciculation etc). also if she is really worried, there are these
things called tongs that many use to fish their prints out of chemical
baths!

good luck with your family-
-c.

"Jason" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception. Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution, she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason

In article ,
(Jason) wrote:

Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception. Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution, she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason

The question is: is there any reason to believe something
bad has happened already to the baby at this time? A more important question
is does she consume alcohol and smoke cigarettes? A simple blood test
might confirm if any chemistry was absorbed into her blood stream, my
uneducated guess is no and your worries are more than likely just that.
& Needless of course I am not an expert in prenatle care nor do I pretend or intend to
be all opinions expressed are my own and consequently bear no responsiblity
for misuse or misunderstanding of their content. (Standard disclaimer in this context)
Seek a doctors help in the event such side effects from reading these contents produces
nervousness or shortness of breath.

Got enough money for college and diapers?
--
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

(Jason) wrote in message . com...

The amount of chemical absorbed through the skin is minute. I would not worry.


Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception. Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution, she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 13:48:01 -0500, Frank Pittel
wrote:

John wrote:
: On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:14:21 GMT, Donald Qualls
: wrote:

: Photographers have show no such effect,
: even those who spend literally decades in daily darkroom work.

: Including Ansel Adams who consistently dipped his hands in
: chemicals for many years but there was no conclusive indication that
: this had any effect on him.

While I don't think most B&W chemistry is harmful ...

I'll just add that most commercially available formulas are
what is left after the many decades of getting rid of known-toxic
agents like pyrogallol, PPD and mercuric chloride. Anything left is
relatively innocuous when used for it's intended purpose and following
the (usually extremely cautious) instructions.

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Vote "No! for the status quo. Vote 3rd party !!

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 13:48:01 -0500, Frank Pittel
wrote:

John wrote:
: On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:14:21 GMT, Donald Qualls
: wrote:

: Photographers have show no such effect,
: even those who spend literally decades in daily darkroom work.

: Including Ansel Adams who consistently dipped his hands in
: chemicals for many years but there was no conclusive indication that
: this had any effect on him.

While I don't think most B&W chemistry is harmful ...

I'll just add that most commercially available formulas are
what is left after the many decades of getting rid of known-toxic
agents like pyrogallol, PPD and mercuric chloride. Anything left is
relatively innocuous when used for it's intended purpose and following
the (usually extremely cautious) instructions.

Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Vote "No! for the status quo. Vote 3rd party !!

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 13:39:05 -0500, "jjs" wrote:


My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

The most likely consequence of this case will be the baby's exposure will be
to his/her father's alarmist presumptions. You are advised to consult a
professional, not Usenet (for God's sake) for answers, and possible
treatment for your anxiety lest you infect the child.

By John you've hit the nail on the head ! The wife is fine but
the husband is suffering from Post-Exposure Anxiety Syndrome !! (aka
PEAS)


Regards,

John S. Douglas, Photographer - http://www.puresilver.org
Vote "No! for the status quo. Vote 3rd party !!

"Jason" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're
worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has
been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the
conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last
visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception.
Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending
a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the
solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution,
she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception
date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or
twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so
please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we
did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now
besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason

Here is what Kodak has on their web site:


Working With Photoprocessing Chemicals During Pregnancy

We are frequently asked about the potential hazards of
working with photographic processing chemicals during
pregnancy and if this presents a health concern for the
mother or fetus. We are aware of no substantiated reports of
adverse reproductive effects among people working with KODAK
photoprocessing products.

All users are encouraged to follow the handling instructions
on the product labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
and abide by applicable country-specific regulations
concerning potential occupational exposures during
pregnancy. In addition, if you are pregnant, you should also
provide your physician with this information. A general
recommendation is to minimize skin, eye, and inhalation
exposure by using good industrial hygiene practices. These
include the use of gloves or tongs (for use in tray
processing), goggles or other eye protection, rubber aprons
or other suitable protective clothing, and working in a
well-ventilated area. Unless otherwise stated on the MSDS,
good industrial strength neoprene rubber or nitrile gloves
should be used whenever there is a potential for skin
contact.

There are no chemicals in any Kodak photoprocessing product
associated with adverse reproductive effects in humans.
There are a limited number of Kodak photochemical products
that contain a minor component that has been associated with
reproductive toxicity in animals through feeding studies.
Ingestion, the route of exposure in these laboratory
studies, is not an expected route of exposure for humans
working with these photoprocessing chemicals. For these
products, information regarding the potential health
hazards, in addition to safe handling guidelines, can be
found on the product label and Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDSs). There is no evidence that any component of or
emission from a Kodak photoprocessing chemical can cause
reproductive effects in animals or humans by skin contact or
through inhalation.

Typical airborne emissions from Kodak photographic
processing solutions can include irritating gasses such as
sulfur dioxide, ammonia, and acetic acid. Since these
chemicals may have unpleasant odors, they can be detected at
low concentrations in the air. The ability to detect a
chemical by odor does not mean that it is present at a
concentration that will cause an adverse health effect.
However, if room ventilation is not adequate, the vapors may
cause transient headache, nausea, or eye, nose, and throat
irritation. Typically, the symptoms will clear when the
person is away from the exposure for a day or two and
reappear when the person is again exposed.

To speak with a Kodak toxicologist about this issue or any
other health issue related to a Kodak product or process,
please contact KES.



KES is Kodak Envirionmental Services. They can be
contacted at:

http://www.kodak.com/cgi-bin/webGenericSurvey.cgi

Or, if you are in the US you can call customer service at 1
800 242 2424

B&W chemistry has very low toxicity when at working
strength. I don't think you have anything to worry about.




--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Richard Knoppow wrote:

"Jason" wrote in message
. com...


Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're
worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has
been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the
conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last
visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception.
Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending
a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the
solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution,
she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception
date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or
twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so
please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we
did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now
besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason



Here is what Kodak has on their web site:


Working With Photoprocessing Chemicals During Pregnancy

We are frequently asked about the potential hazards of
working with photographic processing chemicals during
pregnancy and if this presents a health concern for the
mother or fetus. We are aware of no substantiated reports of
adverse reproductive effects among people working with KODAK
photoprocessing products.

All users are encouraged to follow the handling instructions
on the product labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
and abide by applicable country-specific regulations
concerning potential occupational exposures during
pregnancy. In addition, if you are pregnant, you should also
provide your physician with this information. A general
recommendation is to minimize skin, eye, and inhalation
exposure by using good industrial hygiene practices. These
include the use of gloves or tongs (for use in tray
processing), goggles or other eye protection, rubber aprons
or other suitable protective clothing, and working in a
well-ventilated area. Unless otherwise stated on the MSDS,
good industrial strength neoprene rubber or nitrile gloves
should be used whenever there is a potential for skin
contact.

There are no chemicals in any Kodak photoprocessing product
associated with adverse reproductive effects in humans.
There are a limited number of Kodak photochemical products
that contain a minor component that has been associated with
reproductive toxicity in animals through feeding studies.
Ingestion, the route of exposure in these laboratory
studies, is not an expected route of exposure for humans
working with these photoprocessing chemicals. For these
products, information regarding the potential health
hazards, in addition to safe handling guidelines, can be
found on the product label and Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDSs). There is no evidence that any component of or
emission from a Kodak photoprocessing chemical can cause
reproductive effects in animals or humans by skin contact or
through inhalation.

Typical airborne emissions from Kodak photographic
processing solutions can include irritating gasses such as
sulfur dioxide, ammonia, and acetic acid. Since these
chemicals may have unpleasant odors, they can be detected at
low concentrations in the air. The ability to detect a
chemical by odor does not mean that it is present at a
concentration that will cause an adverse health effect.
However, if room ventilation is not adequate, the vapors may
cause transient headache, nausea, or eye, nose, and throat
irritation. Typically, the symptoms will clear when the
person is away from the exposure for a day or two and
reappear when the person is again exposed.

To speak with a Kodak toxicologist about this issue or any
other health issue related to a Kodak product or process,
please contact KES.



KES is Kodak Envirionmental Services. They can be
contacted at:

http://www.kodak.com/cgi-bin/webGenericSurvey.cgi

Or, if you are in the US you can call customer service at 1
800 242 2424

B&W chemistry has very low toxicity when at working
strength. I don't think you have anything to worry about.



My wife and I were both photo nuts since before we were married. We both
developed film and prints in our kitchen before we had a darkroom and
after. We had six children with no miscarriages or birth defects. All
were above average intelligence and physically strong. Just don't drink
the stuff.

Nowadays you can develop film and paper in solutions of vitamin C,
laundry detergent and a minute amount of phenidone and get very good
results. Some toners are toxic, but they will not jump out and grab you.
You can do the dangerous stuff and your wife can do anything else.

(Jason) wrote in message . com...
Hello,

My wife and I recently found out she is pregnant. We're worried
something may have happened to our baby because she has been going to
school developing photos in a B/W lab.

Here's the gist of what happened: We've traced the conception date to
10/14. We found out today, which is 10/29. Her last visit to the
dark room was on the 24th, ~9 or 10 days after conception. Within
those ~10 days, she went to the dark room 4 times spending a total of
~8 hours in it. She did not use gloves and touched the solution with
her bare fingers. Quickly after touching the solution, she washed her
hands with water, no soap was used. Before the conception date, she's
spent the last 6 weeks in the dark room, maybe once or twice a week.

I already know how stupid we are for doing what we did, so please do
not lecture me on that. I would really like to know if we did any
harm to the baby and if there is anything we can do now besides pray.
Thank you for your help.

-Jason

From MSDS of 4-Aminophenol(p-aminophenol, para aminophenol) :

"Possible mutagen and teratogen"

"A teratogen is an agent that can cause malformations of an embryo or
fetus"

Metol and a few other very commonly used developing agent contains
Aminophenol.
If you happen to consult a doctor, please mention this.

As others have already mentioned, the quantity of the chemical that
might have been absorbed by the system is likey to be very small.

-Sreenath