Re: Clearing prints and asthma

Elton N. Kaufmann - Cycloid Fathom Group (cycloid@cycloid-fathom.com)
Tue, 18 Nov 1997 08:23:46 -0600

In the U.S., a law has been in effect for many years requiring
manufacturers of chemicals as well as their distribution chain to have
Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for just about everything.
I've even seen one for certain forms of sugar!! I don't know what the laws
require in other countries, but if the chemical has passed through the U.S.
or if a similar product is made by a different company in the U.S., an MSDS
should exist. Sometimes distributors are lax about transmitting these
sheets and one must explicitly ask for a copy.
I've read several postings to this list about the safe use of several
darkroom &/or processing chemicals. It appears many members of the list
are quite knowledgeable, but some are not. I would suggest that anyone
working with even a familiar chemical obtain an MSDS or equivalent just to
be safe.

EltonK

At 09:14 PM 11/18/97 +0100, Hamish Stewart wrote:
>>Subject: Re: Clearing prints and asthma
>>Sent: 17/11/97 0:32
>>Received: 17/11/97 22:26
>>From: Sil Horwitz, silh@iag.net
>>To: keith@ccp.arizona.edu
>>CC: alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca
>>
>>At 03:05 PM 1997/11/16 -0700, Keith Schreiber wrote:
>>>I didn't think of it at the time, but we could have neutralized the
>>>acid with baking soda.
>>
>>Could be almost as bad - the combination produces carbon dioxide, which can
>>be toxic in an enclosed place.
>>
>I read these posts with interest, but have a specific questions regarding
>Sodium Metabisulfite, which I use for clearing Gum Prints. I can't find
>any info about the toxicity of this chemical. But last Saturday night,
>while I cleared a batch of around twenty prints, I could feel some
>irritation to the throat and nose from the fumes. Being silly I didn't
>even think to grab the respirator. The following day I had an intense
>cough and a running nose.
>
>Do you have any comments regarding this chemical - and yes next time I
>use the respirator.
>
>Cheers
>Hamish
>
>
Exhibiting fine-art and editorial photography
Cycloid Fathom Gallery
Elton N. Kaufmann, Chairman
P. O. Box 8129
Downers Grove, Illinois 60517-8129
USA
cycloid@cycloid-fathom.com
http://www.cycloid-fathom.com/gallery/
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