Working up straw men and shouting out irrelevant comparisons when running out of arguments (against well considered facts given by experts on the field) is easier than understanding (which can be very demanding). Always seen in these threads, and certainly does nothing good for any purpose, even if you were completely right.
However, there were some good advice before we arrived at this point with no return; I have to agree that when you are not sure you understand it right, play it safe. And, when you are not sure whom to trust, play it safe. You cannot go much wrong by playing it safe. You can play it safe without finding out the real facts, and usually this will be the case as the facts can be very time-consuming and difficult to find.
But remember that
playing safe instead of finding out the real facts is also the principle authorities follow - of course, for cost savings and because of responsibility issues. It's just easier to make a "safe" assumption. But it's not the final truth.
For example, my local authorities demand me to bring my final wash containing one drop of wetting agent to hazardous waste center, because it is a photo chemical, and all photo chemistry is hazardous waste if I ask them. They do it because it's easier for them, and will free them from any responsibility. Still, do you think they are right?
However, I know very well that I do a favor for nature by using the sewer pipeline system to dispose my final wash water containing one drop of wetting agent, instead of using even a slightest bit of fossil fuels for transport, or any evaporation energy at hazardous waste processing center, for this kind of waste. Water usually does good for the system. Chemicals are case-by-case.
Selenium toner is of course a different beast compared to my final wash, but I wanted to show you this example to show that the darkroom user can base his/her decision on real facts, not just regulations. Even Kodak is talking about RECOMMENDATIONS.
Make your own decision based on these considerations.
FWIW, if I used selenium toner, I would collect it and bring it to hazardous waste center, but wouldn't make it a big deal on internet forums. Moreover, I understand this is not completely black and white (or grade 5
); even if I collect it, there will still be carryover of the selenium toner in wash water, unless you collect also
all of your wash water, including when you wash your equipment, trays etc. If you don't collect it, you are already making an assumption that the system will tolerate a low, but certain amount of selenium toner; you are drawing the line without the real knowledge anyway! So, even if you are playing it safe, the information given by Gerald and Ian should be considered valuable also for you.
