Wise words Bob!
I read thru the MSDS sheets on potassium cyanide. I am also a technical
professional so I take safety seriously.
I have the good fortune to work for a major hydro electric utility that
has a whole chemical department so I am going to look into getting some
proper training. They will also be familiar with the local and national
regulations on purchase, shipping, storage, and disposal.
It may be, after I am thoroughly familiar with the chemical and it's
handling that my "fear" may turn to "respect" and I may one day have a
go at it (if the regulations aren't too anal retentive).
In the mean time, there are enough other aspects of wet plate to keep me
busy.
Dianne
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Maxey [mailto:written_by@msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 5:31 AM
To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
Subject: Re: Hazards of wet plate collodion ?
A few comments . . .
As a maker of fountain pens, I can tell you that in many cases,
some materials are unavailable due to shipping restrictions and laws.
For example, celluloid, a plastic, (cellulose nitrate, gun cotton,
choose your equivalent term) cannot be legally shipped from the
manufacturer to me, regardless of where the manufacturer is located.
I cannot obtain samples from a US distributor unless I pay for
special packaging. I cannot store it in quantity unless I make special
arrangements. Oddly enough, I can order celluloid pens by the kilo and
there are no restrictions. I just cannot order raw plastic stock equal
to an equivalent quantity used to make the pens.
I cannot import the material from Dai Chemicals in Japan; one of
the only remaining manufacturers of this material, without special
shipping arrangements, fees, special packaging, etc.
So, in some cases, shipping collodion might be restricted and
anyone shipping the stuff might be in violation of a law. Therefore,
before you sellers sell and you buyers buy, make sure it is legal to
ship. In solution, there might be exceptions, however.
As for KCN, I'll offer a few suggestions: before you use the
stuff, absolutely understand what you are doing. I have had considerable
experience in handling cyanide based plating solutions and trust me; it
only takes a little to cause a serious problem.
Read the MSDS, work using recommended personal protective gear,
and if you are the least but nervous, forget about it altogether. In my
opinion, handling the material is best left to the experts. If you are
still unconvinced, find an expert and start asking questions.
Find out what is required to safely handle the material. For
God's sake, absolutely, do not use simple dust masks, they do not work.
You need to wear a smock, eye protection, rubber gloves, and preferably,
a respirator that has been designed for handling KCN. Your respirator
must be professionally fitted if you want it to be effective.
I know this because I was a HAZ-MAT, Lead Safety, and Chemical
Safety Trainer in a former life.
Here are a few bullet points:
1- KCN can be absorbed by the skin, through the eyes, the nasal
cavity, and it can be fatal in tiny quantities.
2- As little as 50 mg can be fatal.
3- It reacts with acids, producing a gas.
4- Something like 60% of the population cannot detect the odor
of bitter almonds, so just because you cannot smell it, does not mean
you have not had a release.
5- It is illegal to dispose of unless you do so in strict
accordance with your local laws. You might not be legally able to use
the material where you live, so if you plan to use it, find out what the
laws are in your area. Especially if you are using it commercially,
which might be the case if you sell your work.
When you start using it, you must eventually dispose of it; in
some cases, you might require a permit or at the very least, you will
require special handling. If you get caught doing otherwise, you might
be in trouble. So ask your local officials and find out.
Never "brag" about your preferred photographic process unless
you are in the company of like-minded photographers. As soon as a
neighbor learns you are using the stuff, you might have problems.
Cyanide is a word that scares people. It scares me, that's for sure.
6- If you spill the solution, you might be required to have the
spill professionally cleaned up by a HAZ-MAT company and that is bloody
costly. If I spilled the stuff in my garage, I could never be sure if my
cleanup was complete.
No matter how careful you are, you WILL eventually spill the
stuff. This is a fact.
7- Survivors of cyanide poisoning may develop symptoms
resembling Parkinson's disease.
8- Make sure your regional poison control center is aware that
you are using the stuff. Then, if you have a problem, they have a heads
up.
9- If it contacts your skin, you need immediate medical
attention.
10- IGNORE the comments about using simple facemasks and large
kitchen gloves. The chemical requires special and proper safety gear.
Someone posted, "best not to handle without gloves." That should read
ABSOLUTELY wear the proper gloves at all times and never, ever handle it
without the PROPER gloves.
11- Read this pdf file:
http://www.nohsc.gov.au/PDF/Standards/CyanidePoisoningGuide.pdf
<http://www.nohsc.gov.au/PDF/Standards/CyanidePoisoningGuide.pdf>
Someone posted, "Just to be clear. All the written reports I
could find about KCN related deaths in the 19th century literature were
due to "accidentally" drinking it, not a poison gas." I am not sure how
accurate the reports would be. I am betting if any large group of users
handles the stuff, they perhaps got into trouble not necessarily from
drinking the stuff, but from exposure, be it by skin contact, eye
contact, or sloppy work habits. I also bet others suffered due to
exposure they did not ask for, due to sloppy disposal methods used by
the photographer.
This chemical is indeed something to be handled with the utmost
care and never, EVER take it lightly.
Bob
...
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Received on Tue Aug 9 11:38:17 2005
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