Gravure & Sulphur Polution

Terry King (101522.2625@CompuServe.COM)
15 Aug 96 05:09:05 EDT

To those using copper

As I am into making observations on the vaguely strange and colour this morning,
I thought that I would pass on a happening on the last gravure workshop.

Before copper plate can be aquatinted it has to be cleaned, polished and
degreased and the dried. During the drying the surface of the plate must not be
touched so not the slightest amount of grease can contaminate it.

Some of the plates were left to dry over lunch on a shelf in the fume cabinet
used for etching. It contained no etchants. Someone turned the 'in' fan on in
order to hasten the drying of the plates. Those plates closest to the inlet
turned a beautiful blue, a copper sulphate blue.

Those plates aquatinted and etched well but I am wondering to what extent our
lungs are being etched.

Terry King