From: Linda Phillips (linda__phillips@hotmail.com)
Date: 05/01/00-04:02:10 PM Z
Tony writes: "Who are we to believe? The newspapers, the television or
heaven preserve us, the scientific community. Each have their own agenda."
Thanks, Tony. But who is most likely to know of the dangers of dichromates,
gum printers or chemists?
Consider these facts:
1. Dichromates are, to some degree poisonous and carcinogenic.
2. Laws were written that forbid the discharge of these chemicals into
sewer systems.
3. Gum printers on this list have taken it upon themselves to declare
themseleves excempt from these laws, based upon the volume of the discharge.
Consider also:
Concise directions were printed on this list last week on how to isolate
chromium for more convenient (and legal) disposal. YET, even though these
methods exist, the general opinion on this list seems to be: WHY BOTHER. I
don't get it. We've read about all kinds of arcane chemical preocedures on
this list, manufacture of gold chloride with aqua regia, etc., but the
isolation of chromium is considered to be, what, TOO MUCH of a nuisance?
Better to simply shrug and dump?
While poking around in the archive, I noticed that a while back there was
some discussion as to how government regulations are making it more
difficult to obtain certain chemicals that are used for alternative
photographic processes. Now I see why this is happening. CAn you imagine
the uproar on this list if possession of Ferric Oxalate or Potassium
Dichromate were to be made illegal? But yet, here we have individuals who
flagrantly and publicly disregard the law and thus play right into the hand
of the do-gooder bureaucrats that wish to "protect us". Well, maybe we
deserve to be protected if we are going to persist in this lazy and
irresponsible manner.
Gum printing is a complicated process. The responsible disposal of our
waste products need to be a part of this process.
>From: Darlington Media Group <postmaster@mediaworkshop.demon.co.uk>
>Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>Subject: Re: Dichromate Hazards - Thanks!
>Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 21:37:42 +0100
>
>Dear Linda,
>
>Insufficient advice like knowledge, can be a very dangerous thing.
>
>In today's tecnological society, we are bombarded daily with rumour, hype
>and scare stories concerning the danger to our bodies or our environment of
>this product and that chemical. Who are we to believe? The newspapers, the
>television or heaven preserve us, the scientific community. Each have their
>own agenda. The poor consumer is left baffled and wary not knowing which
>way to turn.
>
>Chemicals get a very bad press. Many people think that they are evil
>polluting substances that should be outlawed. Trouble is everything is
>composed of chemicals, the earth, the trees and even the tree huggers
>themselves. You have quite rightly in my opinion, questioned the safe use
>of one chemical in particular chemical, chromium (dichromates). Should you
>forsake gum printing because of the danger of the miniscule amounts of
>dichromate released into the environment? Well, I'm afraid that decision
>must be yours to make. However, if do you decide to refrain then please
>don't forget to dispose of your artist's watercolour pigments safely too.
>Some of these contain chromium and even worse elements like cadmium.
>
>My advice to you, is to read everything you can about the safety issues
>concerning the materials you intend to use. Then apply a bit of good old
>common sense. As an example of hysterical writing I have included a sample
>paragrapgh from a material safety data sheet for a common chemical that is
>in daily use.
>
>Special Hazard Precautions: IRRITATION OF THE EYES, MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND
>SKIN COULD OCCUR. MAY CAUSE NAUSEA AND VOMITING IF INGESTED. MAY CAUSE
>RESPIRATORY IRRITATION IF INHALED. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES
>ANDCLOTHING. STORE TIGHTLY CLOSED IN A COOL DRY PLACE. FIRST AID: IF
>IRRITATION PERSISTS OR IS SEVERE, SEE A DOCTOR. EYE:FLUSH W/WATER 15 MIN,
>HOLD LIDS OPEN. SKIN:WASH WITH SOAP & WATER. REMOVE CONTAMINATED CLOTHING
>AND LAUNDER BEFORE REUSE. INHALED:REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. AID/RESTORE
>BREATHING IF NECESSARY. INGESTED:DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. GIVE 2 LARGE
>GLASSES OF MILK OR WATER TO DILUTE & GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE. NOTHING BY
>MOUTH IF UNCONSCIOUS.
>
>The name of this horrendous substance ............ distilled water!
>
> Cheers ....... Tony McLean.
>
>
>
>Why not take a look at the latest issue of Camera & Darkroom magazine?
>http://www.camera-and-darkroom.co.uk
>
>
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