Re: Hazards of wet plate collodion ?

From: Tom Sobota ^lt;tsobota@teleline.es>
Date: 08/08/05-11:16:15 AM Z
Message-id: <6.2.1.2.0.20050808185224.03731f08@pop3.teleline.es>

Dianne,

I think that Potassium cyanide is a restricted substance mostly everywhere. You should not use it if you are not very familiar with chemical manipulation, have an exhaust hood or work outdoors  AND you don't have small children at your home. And even so ...

Of course there is a safer way to fix collodion plates: Sodium thiosulphate.

On the other side the use of ether is, as far as I know, unavoidable. You presume well: use it only in a well ventilated area and far from any source of heat or fire. Anything else is an invitation to disaster since ether is very flammable and has a very low flash point. In summer I would even avoid working under open sunlight. However,  taking these elementary precautions, ether is not particularly toxic or dangerous.

When I was a kid I used to build and fly models of airplanes. I mixed my own fuel, based on ether, kerosene and castor oil. When I went flying I always had with me a pint or so of ether. Never had the slightest problem but: I always mixed the fuel outdoors and made sure that nobody was smoking near. Also, I tried not to inhale the ether fumes.

Tom

At 18:27 08/08/2005, you wrote:

While I am waiting for my books from Coffer and the Ostermans and thinking about doing wet plate ferrotypes, two things make me nervous:
 
#1  using potassium cyanide.
 
a) I believe potassium cyanide is a restricted substance in Canada, yes? What is involved in buying and storing potassium cyanide?
 
b) I have seen the damage done by cyanide in the gold mining country of northern Ontario and I know a little of its history as a medium of execution - the stuff makes me NERVOUS! It is, from what I understand very DEADLY. How does one render potassium cyanide solutions safe for disposal?
 
c) What kind of handling precautions are required when working with cyanide solutions?
 
d) Is there a safer way to fix collodion images?
 
 
#2  ether
 
I understand the wet plate method uses ether. I am a bit more familiar with ether than cyanide as I have used ether in industrial applications but ether has two un-nice characteristics - its flammability (explosive vapours) and its anesthetic nature.
 
a) I Would presume that ether is used only out of doors in a well ventilated area and well removed from sources of ignition?
 
I have a lot to learn but I also have an aversion to things that can KILL me!
 
Dianne

Received on Mon Aug 8 11:15:56 2005