Bonderer
In my job, I deal with acids and alkalis every day, and handling them has become second nature to me. But that’s certainly not the case for many others, and even a simple household cleaner can damage the eyes or skin.
I apply the practices I’ve learnt on the job in my home darkroom as well.
Young people in particular, who are just starting out in the darkroom, are certainly not aware of such risks.
I don’t want to scare anyone, but you really should observe certain safety rules and get into the habit of following them.
1. I always keep my photographic chemicals in drip trays; even the best bottle can leak sometimes, so better a wet drip tray than a ruined floor covering. Sturdy plastic boxes work too, as long as they’re leak-proof. And where there are children and pets, keep the stuff locked away securely.
2. Our skin is an organ that never forgets and is permeable to certain substances, in addition to the damage caused by acids and alkalis.
Therefore, do not deliberately handle photographic solutions with unprotected hands; and if you don’t like using forceps, you should at least wear gloves – preferably nitrile, as this is suitable for a wide range of substances.
And if you get any on you, wash it off immediately.
3. Photographic solutions are often acidic or alkaline; neither is good if it gets into your eyes.
I can only recommend that everyone wear good safety goggles when handling these solutions, at least the concentrates. I recommend goggles with a mesh frame; they look like diving goggles, fit over normal glasses, seal well and have a sort of built-in valve that prevents them from fogging up too much.
It is actually the duty of all mail-order companies to make this clear, but they (unfortunately) stand out here for their complete inaction.
One or two do offer safety goggles and protective gloves, but that strikes me as more of a business move than genuine concern for customers.
The bottles state what the law requires, nothing more, but what’s written there is no help at all.
And with a nod to Mirco Büddecker, who does have some YouTube experience,
How about some safety tips for beginners and advanced users?
Safety and hazardous substances training in one for lab technicians of all ages.
Wolf_XL
...I suppose you always wear two condoms one on top of the other and strap yourself in bed – after all, I’ve heard of people falling out of bed and breaking their necks... ;-)
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I’ve been working in the lab for about forty years now – and back in the day we were far less cautious – yet I’m still in the best of health... As long as you’re not exactly bathing in developer, or pouring your unwashed beer into the container in which you’ve just mixed your fixer, photographic chemicals are pretty harmless for the average lab technician – apart from those with allergies. Of course, you shouldn’t be splashing the solutions about recklessly and you should mop up spilled solutions as quickly as possible, or rinse your hands off straight away if they come into contact with the chemicals... But by the time you’ve ruined your first pair of trousers with developer or fixer, ruined your developer because you let the fixer splash into the tray from too great a height, or left lovely fingerprints because you first dipped your fingers in the fixer and then took the paper out of the bag with wet fingers, a certain basic cleanliness sets in, which also takes health considerations into account as far as possible.
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After all, our hobby is supposed to be fun – and with a full-body suit and gas mask in the lab, the fun is rather limited...
piu58
There are films of Ansel Adams in the darkroom – he used to run the paper through the baths with his bare hands. I used to do the same when I was younger – right hand in the developer, left hand in the fixer. The problem is: which hand do you use to hold the paper?
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I still develop large prints that way today; it’s the gentlest method for the softened paper. The chemicals aren’t particularly harmful to health if they come into contact with the skin. Hydroquinone, which is often demonised, is even found in over-the-counter medicines that are taken orally. Of course, they aren’t suitable for long-term use either.
sputnik
In the negative lab, I always wear something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/p3bfka4
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When enlarging prints, however, this item can sometimes cause reflections, which is why I use this in the positive lab:
http://tinyurl.com/qaulmte
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Health is our greatest asset. Protect it!
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Wolfgg
It can’t hurt to take a look at our ancestors:
Well, 50 years ago I often had the chance to watch my photo dealer at work in the darkroom. They would routinely dip their bare hands into all the trays. And not just every four weeks at the weekend, but for eight hours or more every working day! And back then, there were no Green Party members or soups compatible with that lifestyle. When I once asked him if that wasn’t unhealthy, he just replied: ‘No way!’ The only side effect was his fingernails, which were constantly stained brown. Probably from the bromine. He lived to a ripe old age and only died recently – no, not from chemistry, but from biology (viruses).
With black and white, I later started using tweezers when I was too lazy to keep drying my hands before reaching into the box. Fingers that smell of developer aren’t great either. With colour, I found the pH level of the CD alarmingly high for bare hands right from the start; the BFX looks off-putting enough on its own, so gloves were the obvious choice.
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Regards, Wolfgang
Bonderer
To be honest, I didn’t expect to get such stupid answers from people who can only think in terms of what women don’t have. It’s just a recommendation, nothing more and nothing less, and just because it hasn’t harmed anyone doesn’t mean it won’t harm anyone.
Health is a precious commodity, and you shouldn’t put it at risk through stupidity or laziness.
CPD
To be honest, I didn’t expect to get such stupid replies from people who can only think in terms of what women don’t have. It’s just a recommendation, nothing more and nothing less, and just because it hasn’t harmed anyone doesn’t mean it won’t harm anyone.
Health is a precious commodity, and you shouldn’t put it at risk through stupidity or laziness.
You can go too far! Any household cleaner is more dangerous than what I have in my darkroom. Do you walk around the city centre wearing a respirator mask? Perhaps you should consider it. As for what, as you so aptly put it, women don’t have, I leave that nicely wrapped up when developing film anyway. In all my years of active darkroom work, I’ve never had a problem with that.
I only wear nitrile gloves when handling pyrogallol developer. And that makes sense.
Ciao!
Wolf_XL
...if it was just a suggestion, why are you getting so worked up when no one’s jumping for joy out of gratitude? Oh, I see – you only accept your own opinion and nothing else...
Sandra
Analoger, I think it’s good that you’re bringing this up. In my very small darkroom, I have to be careful about ventilation, and I wear nitrile gloves when developing film and toning prints. When mixing powdered chemicals, I wear a respirator mask as well as gloves. I suffer from allergies and have to take precautions for that reason alone so that I can continue to pursue my hobby.
In my opinion, handling chemicals with care and caution should go without saying. After all, I do fasten my seatbelt when driving and wear a helmet when cycling... This has nothing to do with scaremongering.
Of course, everyone is responsible for their own health. But as the mother of a young son, I also have a role model function and must protect him from danger. My photographic chemicals, for example, mustn’t just be left lying around anywhere.
With this in mind,
best regards,
Sandra
www.ipernity.com/sandra-wittmann
pittyman
Hi Sandra,
I always prepare my powdered chemicals outdoors. That means
I don’t have to wear a mask.
Dirk
TiMo
I pour the powder out of the packet under running water.
Gucker
Anyone who cares about their health AND their hobby should exercise caution.
No one can know for certain how they will react to the chemicals in the long term. Metol, for example, is known to cause contact allergies.
I worked with epoxy resins without protection for a while – nothing major – and from time to time I’d get a small splash on my hand. It’s got to the point where I can no longer enter a room where epoxy is stored in sealed (!) containers without my face starting to itch. If I get too close to open epoxy, I look like a zombie within no time.
Fortunately, I’m not dependent on epoxy in any way, but if something similar were to happen with a chemical from the darkroom, I could kiss my hobby goodbye!
It’s true that most people probably won’t have any problems, but you really shouldn’t take any chances.
sputnik
Well, as we all know, there are quite a few people who are guaranteed to get a cold sore within minutes of seeing or even just hearing something disgusting. Does that really mean we need to be constantly reminded to be on our guard against anything disgusting?
Sorry, but you really can turn anything into a problem – or, as they say these days, a challenge.
