From: Sandy King (sanking@clemson.edu)
Date: 07/17/02-08:14:48 AM Z
Shannon wrote:
>Thanks for this info. I'm not quite ready to use pyro as I am very
>sensitive to photographic chemicals and I'm afraid it's too toxic for me.
>Maybe if I ever get a jobo processor and don't have to deal with splashing
>developer too much...I will look at Sandy's article though for future
>reference.
>
>Maybe I should switch back to Tri-X, my old favorite, although I would have
>to buy it in boxes of 50.
>
>--shannon
>
>
Pyrocat-HD is based on pyrocatechin (catechol), not pyrogallol.
Pyrocatechin is also toxic, but as far as I can determine no more so
than hydroquinone, to which it is closely related. And of course
hydroquinone is in D76 and most all MQ paper developers.
Even so I would recommend that you avoid splashing around any
developer. With the exception of those based on ascorbic acid they
are all quite toxic, both via inhalation and via skin absorption.
Finally, yes TRI-X is a much better film than HP5+ for getting the
high contrast needed for most forms of alternative printing.
Unfortunately it has become prohibitively expensive to purchase, even
with special order, for the ULF sizes in which I do much of my work.
Sandy King
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