From: Robert W. Schramm (schrammrus@hotmail.com)
Date: 11/18/00-10:16:37 PM Z
Bob,
I apologize if my post was to flame-like. I guess I am in error for
assuming that this list, which is rather exclusive, is composed of
well above average intelligence people. Even if it is, I guess that
does not mean that they would act sensibly. BTW I know about the
ammonia-iodine compound of which you speak an a few others besides.
Did you know that the entire "Anarchist's Handbook," which contains
the formula for nitroglycerin amoung other formulas, is to be found
on the internet. I had an uncle who was a chemical engineer working for
Dupont, who explained to me how to make nitro and what not to do
and how extremely dangerous it was to make. I believe you would have
to be extremely wacko to attempt this.
There is a publication floating around that suggests a home-made
assembly of a kitchen colander and aluminium foil as a mercury
pot for developing daguerreotypes. It is, of course, extremely
dangerous.
Most of our alternative processes use toxic chemicals. The question,
for me, remains as to how many warnings are needed.
Bob Schramm
>From: bmaxey1@juno.com
>Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>CC: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>Subject: Re: Mercury WARNINGS
>Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 00:58:18 -0700
>
> >>Every so often on this list someone gives us a lecture on some
> >>highly toxic substance. I appreciate the fact that they are concerned
>about
> >>us and again I know they mean well, but really, we already
> >>know about this stuff.
>
>With all due respect, and I mean that, there are lots of folks on this
>mailing list. Neither you or I know the experience level of every reader.
>For all anyone knows, they will see my long post about mercury then read
>other posts saying that I am too cautious and then proceed to use the
>materials to who knows what end. Many folks want to be told that
>everything in chemistry is safe, and will gravitate towards those folks
>who pat them on the head and tell them not to worry.
>
>I remember getting a rather angry email the last time I was a member and
>posted a chemical warning. It was from someone who sells related
>chemicals. The reason I got the message was very obvious to me.
>
>You know as well as I do that chemicals often confuse people. There are
>those occasional posts asking if one chemical can substitute for another.
>This tells me that they are relying on a mailing list not on research. I
>see all these posts asking about chemicals and there is no warnings or
>disclaimers or advice given. Often they ask and perhaps some do not ask
>and travel blindly down a very dangerous road.
>
>One mail list I was a member of had a question posted about "simple
>explosives" and how they could be made for the 4th of July. One
>respondent posted (with no real warnings) a compound made from Ammonia
>and Iodine. I will not repeat the chemical compound because anyone on
>this list that gets a hankering to try it will find real problems in they
>are stupid enough to try. Just a gentle breeze wafting across the
>chemical well cause detonation. In relatively small quantities, it could
>easily level a building. People who know nothing might get the idea to
>make lots of this stuff and then they are absolutely dead. There is no
>doubt that many on that mailing list knew about that specific compound as
>well.
>
>Some people rely upon the Internet for all of their information and make
>foolish mistakes for their efforts. Just last week, I had a post from a
>new member on a motorcycle mailing list that asked about helmet laws for
>the state they planned to visit. The information given was absolutely
>incorrect. Setting aside any safety issues, there was real possibilities
>for tickets because the asker of the question relied on a mail list for
>info they most certainly considered accurate.
>
>I agree many on this list understand how chemicals are to be handled, but
>the original question was posted by someone who obviously needed info and
>asked about safety. I gave it to her and will not apologize. I used to
>teach chemical safety and I gave far more information that you or most
>would consider needed; and this was for soldering materials. If I were
>preparing a lesson plan for handling mercury and related compounds, it
>would last at least 2 hours, but I would most certainly be chastised and
>derided for too much information.
>
>If everyone feels that I am too radical when it comes to chemicals, then
>perhaps the list owner should un -subscribe me so no one has to listen to
>my obviously unwanted lectures on chemicals and their hazards.
>
>Bob
>
>
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