Re: Hazards of wet plate collodion ?

>>>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.>>>

Thank you, Diane.

Yup, chemical safety should never be taken lightly. I always run the risk of offending some people when I harp on and on about chemical dangers. I always run the risk of relegating them to child status in my mind.

I remember fondly all those solder technicians that refused to wash their hands and face after spending the day hand soldering PC boards and using flux. Probably won't kill them, but who knows what the effects are long term. I also remember when some disgruntled employee placed a homemade bomb in an employee locker and our "security experts" decided to carry the device outside, without alerting the police or the FD. So much for experts knowing how to deal with problems.

I am embarrassed to say this, but I destroyed a months worth this morning due to my sloppiness. I was not through in the cleaning up of certain chemicals and I ruined a piece of reverse painted glass due to solvent contamination. It was a case of working far too fast, half asleep and no strong coffee.

All I can say is the overly nervous "chemiphobes" should perhaps forget using poisonous chemicals; the remaining few that think they can handle these materials should spend a day becoming educated. Ask the experts if you still do not get it.

Almost every known chemical can be safely handled if one pays attention and offers up a little respect to the chemical Gods. One lazy and forgetful moment, however, can sometimes kill you.

DianneGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com
Received on Tue Aug 9 16:14:56 2005