From: Steve Bell (veracity000@earthlink.net)
Date: 11/09/02-10:24:05 AM Z
Thanks very much Judy. Hopefully my first attempts at gum will be
successful.
cheers,
Steve
> [Original Message]
> From: Judy Seigel <jseigel@panix.com>
> To: Alt Processes List <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
> Cc: <alt-photo-process-error@sask.usask.ca>
> Date: 11/9/2002 4:32:22 AM
> Subject: Re: Gum Bichromates and Ventilation
>
>
> Steve, My advice will seem like heresy, but I suggest, in fact urge,NO
> ventilation. The bichromate has no fumes, it's not a volatile solvent or
> aromatic vapor in any way. It's a crystalline powder that isn't even
> especially powdery --and perfectly odorless. If you're uptight for your
> first time, I suggest the following:
>
> Put newspaper or other under the scale so any stray grains are readily
> folded up and disposed of.
>
> Wear a simple dust mask in case some grains float upward.
>
> Do not shake chemicals out of the jar, but spoon out, wearing gloves with
> a long-handled spoon.
>
> Put a piece of paper on the scale, edges folded up so nothing spills off
> and by folding into a V it becomes a funnel.
>
> Have the water waiting before you start to weigh, so you don't have to
> wander off looking for beaker, et al, while the chemistry sits on the
> scale & your walking by at rapid pace stirs a breeze.
>
> TURN OFF ANY ALL ANY ALL REPEAT ANY ALL FANS, VENTILATION, OR BREEZE,
> THAT WOULD STIR THE PILE OF CRYSTALS.
>
> This by the way is mostly over the top, sort of the scouts perfect safety
> rules, because you face the unknown. Bear in mind that the real danger
> from bichromate is that it's hell on skin, a great irritant. Don't put
> your hands in the wash water, for instance, no bare hands for anything
> with bi...
>
> I also mention that woodworkers used to rub wood with either potassium or
> ammonium dichromate for its special color. There was a pile of plastic
> bags of it out on the counter last time I was at Garrett Wade... they were
> selling I forget, maybe 6 or 8 or so ounces for $13...
>
> And it was used as preservative in sausages for British troops in WW 1,
> not necessarily the elixir of health, but not known to have killed anyone.
>
> And enjoy -- proximity to bichromate (but not touching) makes folks smart,
> beautiful, sexy and full of wonder.
>
> Judy
>
> On Fri, 8 Nov 2002, Steve Bell wrote:
>
> > Hey Everyone,
> >
> > i just recieved the chemicals to do my first Gum Bichromates, and i've a
> > question regarding ventilation. i do not yet have a darkroom available
to
> > me. at least not one in my home, and i don't want to use the one at my
> > school because i'm afraid i will kill someone with fumes. so i'm
wondering
> > exactly how much ventilation i need to mix the sensitizer for gum
prints. i
> > was going to do it in my bathroom, with a fan in the window and a dual
> > filter respirator. but i'm worried that after i finish and remove said
> > respirator, i will inhale fumes and die. haha, maybe i'm exagerating,
but
> > i'd rather not take these chemicals with a casual attitude. i also do
not
> > wish to kill my family.
> >
> > so will that be enough ventilation? should i go out to the garage or
> > something? please let me know what you think.
> >
> > thanks,
> >
> > steve
> >
> >
--- Steve Bell
--- Veracity000@earthlink.net
--- http://www.unbeknownst.org/~insurrective /
http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/insurrection
--- In fact, rock, rather than being an example of how freedom can be
achieved within the capitalist structure, is
an example of how capitalism can, almost without a conscious effort,
deceive those whom it oppresses...So
effective has the rock industry been in encouraging the spirit of
optimistic youth take-over that rock's truly
hard political edge, it's constant exploration of the varieties of
youthful frustration, has been ignored
and softened. --Michael Lydon
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