Darkroom fumes causing fog, spots, etc.

[lensmagic]

Ansel Adams, in his landmark book The Negative (1981 Edition), at page 197, when discussing darkroom equipment and procedures, states that film and paper should be stored outside the darkroom because of possible chemical fumes and humidity. I am aware that the sulphide (sulfide, smelly) sepia toners can fog film and paper. But what about fumes from a tray of a plain old M-Q paper developer? Or from a tray of stop bath employing acetic acid? Or from trays of fixing baths employing ammonium thiosulfate? Do these pose a threat to films and papers stored in the darkroom?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Now matter how good you think that your health is, it is always a good idea to have good ventilation including an exhaust fan in the [wet] darkroom. I do and so should you.

 

[iakustov]

I am too bad at chemistry to answer your questions, but I store the paper and film in the same place where I develop my film and paper as well as do toning and have not had problems so far. I use thiuerea-based sepia toner though (e.g. from Foma).

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Now matter how good you think that your health is, it is always a good idea to have good ventilation including an exhaust fan in the [wet] darkroom. I do and so should you.

preciselyand then all is fine.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

But what about fumes from a tray of a plain old M-Q paper developer? Or from a tray of stop bath employing acetic acid? Or from trays of fixing baths employing ammonium thiosulfate? Do these pose a threat to films and papers stored in the darkroom?

The examples you mention should not cause any problems to paper/film stored in the darkroom.
But anyway it is a good idea to have proper ventilation and avoid humidity.

 

[guangong]

Now matter how good you think that your health is, it is always a good idea to have good ventilation including an exhaust fan in the [wet] darkroom. I do and so should you.

Ditto. Especially if doing reversal development since several chemicals involved can be quite toxic.

In my day, chemistry, real chemistry, was taught in high school and we were taught how to handle and pour toxic dry and liquid i chemicals. Nowadays the little dears must be prevented from any responsibilities or risks. Result: snowflakes.

 

[Ces1um]

I run a dental darkroom and occupational health and safety rules require us to have ventilation on when the darkroom is powered on. We only have developer and fixer in the processor- no other chemicals at all. I'd say it's always better to err on the side of caution, even if the risks may be overstated.

 

[bdial]

Powder from evaporated fixer can cause spots on your film or paper if they get deposited then hydrated. So it's good to give everything a wipe down at the end of each session. Fixer can splash into amazing places, if you see little white spots around a day or so after a darkroom session, your clean-up isn't adequate.
But, I'm not aware of any other issues for storing paper in a darkroom in the presence of developers, stop baths and fixer baths.

As noted, general ventilation is a good idea, while the paper may not be bothered by those particular fumes, you can be. If ventilating the space isn't feasible for whatever reason, then you should get out to fresh air regularly during your darkroom sessions.
Controlling humidity is good too, so if the darkroom is closed off routinely it's good to empty print washers or other open water containers, at a minimum.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Ditto. Especially if doing reversal development since several chemicals involved can be quite toxic.

In my day, chemistry, real chemistry, was taught in high school and we were taught how to handle and pour toxic dry and liquid i chemicals. Nowadays the little dears must be prevented from any responsibilities or risks. Result: snowflakes.

Cibachrome had one nasty chemical.

 

[pentaxuser]

Ansel Adams, in his landmark book The Negative (1981 Edition), at page 197, when discussing darkroom equipment and procedures, states that film and paper should be stored outside the darkroom because of possible chemical fumes and humidity. I am aware that the sulphide (sulfide, smelly) sepia toners can fog film and paper. But what about fumes from a tray of a plain old M-Q paper developer? Or from a tray of stop bath employing acetic acid? Or from trays of fixing baths employing ammonium thiosulfate? Do these pose a threat to films and papers stored in the darkroom?

Your question, I believe relates solely to those darkroom chemicals you mention being a threat to films and paper stored in the darkroom. It is that question I will try to answer. I too have heard that sulphide toners can fog paper - I am not sure about film. On the other hand I have heard that if paper is stored in a cupboard with doors in its black bag and in its box and isn't literally sitting on top of the tray containing sulphide then it is probably safe. I say probably as I haven't used suphide toners in my darkroom where I have always kept my paper and film. I hope that users of sulphide toners will give their experience of what effect it has on paper stored the way I have mentioned above.

In terms of paper developer fumes from an MQ or PQ developer I have found to have no effect whatsoever over 12 years of use. In fact I am barely aware of such fumes. Same goes for acetic acid stop bath and fixer in terms of effect

pentaxuser

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Title updated. There are other threads on darkroom health risks. This one seems to be on risks to film and paper.