Please, no wars about what was said or how it was interpreted. I read what
you said and it is still not very responsible in my opinion. By all means,
taste away.
By all means, group...If you have some chemicals you are not sure of, taste
them.
Sorry for being so picky, but it is my nature.
I have a theory people might like to comment on. No proof, just an idea. I
think photography and photo chemistry is not something people connect with
chemistry. To many, photography is benign and safe. Those same people in a
lab filled with liquids, powders and lab equipment might tend to believe it
is dangerous. Dangerous chemicals are not associated with photography in
some peoples eyes. After all, even common stuff around the house can be
used in not so pleasant ways. Ask me about Iodine and Ammonia sometime. Is
this possible?
I remember when Edison's Lab was inventoried and it was discovered that it
was full of a wide variety of dangerous chemicals such as radioactive
compounds, extremely deadly poisons, a substantial amount of Picric Acid
and several other sensitive explosive compounds (Easily made with Iodine
and Ammonia from the drugstore by the way). After an assessment was made,
it was determined that most of the block could be leveled if one of the
thousands of tourists who toured the place were to simply pick up
something in the wrong way. The Menlo Park was a potential death trap, as
was reported by some.
In this case, because it was a museum and popular tour attraction, the
thought was there is nothing to cause problems.
Finally, and then I will shut up, Every chemical used in photography is to
be handled with care. Fixer, stop bath and developers, too. It puts the Alt
Processor in the habit of handling materials that are far more damaging. My
father was a chemist and my grandmothers garage was full of stuff we all
took for granted. Mother called the fire department to rid the garage of
the chemicals, and they had a cow. The neighbors were evacuated, all 3
local News Stations were there, and it was an amazing circus. All because
stuff long thought to be benign, could of created a problem. Moral: Do not
handle chemicals in a slip shod manner.
Deep apologies for the length of the post, I apologize.
RM