Formadehyde Chemical Mask Protection.

BobUK

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I have some Paraformaldehyde, and I am thinking of using it in making Lith Film Developer.

When mixing chemcals, I use cheap disposable dust filtration masks, with the nastier chemicals being measured and mixed outside.

What sort of specifications should I be looking for when buying a mask to protect me when mixing and using formaldehyde for film development?

Bearing in mind health figures highly in the specification, but I do not have the same cash resources as the likes of ICI, Glaxo and Dista.

Thankyou.
 

koraks

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BobUK said:
I have some Paraformaldehyde, and I am thinking of using it in making Lith Film Developer.
Click to expand...

The amount you'll use and the time you'll spend developing prints will likely not amount to a worrying level of exposure. Personally, I'd just ensure decent ventilation in your darkroom preferably during sessions, and otherwise between sessions or periodically.
 

mshchem

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3M makes affordable respirators that accept different cartridges. Very comfortable and work great. I've used these for many years. Double cartridge models, have a vent so it's easy to exhale.
 

mshchem

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I agree. I remember formalin fix with the old color chemistry, I kinda liked the smell.
 

_T_

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mshchem said:
3M makes affordable respirators that accept different cartridges. Very comfortable and work great. I've used these for many years. Double cartridge models, have a vent so it's easy to exhale.
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3M™ Chemical Respirator 4279+, ABEKP3​


This is the correct mask for protection against organic chemical fumes.

ABEK1 is the standard that needs to be met for chemical vapors. You can search for other options that have this specification if you like.
 

MattKing

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Can you do your mixing outside?
 

Quiver2

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If you must mix without your preferred amount of ventilation then the recommended respirator is the way to go. You can find these at your local tractor/farm supply store. Be sure to get the pink filters. These will be the ones for filtering out a wide range of toxic/poisonous fumes.
 
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BobUK

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MattKing said:
Can you do your mixing outside?
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I can do the mixing outside under cover.
My darkroom though is only a small box room with no ventilation.

As I only intend to use the developer with small pieces of Lith Film, I intend to pour a small amount into a disposable plastic food tray having a snap on lid.
The lid will only be removed when the developer is actually in use.

Thought has been given to a temporary extractor, flexible wander hose to move around the wet area as required.
Trouble with that is, in the UK permanently blacked out windows with extractors hanging out of the windows, leads to neighbours wrongly thinking there may be a hydroponics lab growing some of those Cannibals Raisins Plants

A mask may be a bit of overkill for the small amount of time and substance, but at least I will have peace of mind.

Thankyou for the input everyone.
 

DREW WILEY

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A general carbon filter organic vapor respirator is OK, but a more specialized filter canister specifically for formaldehyde, along with customized fit is preferable. 3M recommended. Decent ventilation is a MUST, regardless. Don't be either fooled or foolish about that. You should be able to rig up some kind of light tight vent duct. Mixing outdoors is also smart.
 

Ian Grant

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The level of para-Formaldehyde in say Kodak D-85 is so low 0.75%, and para-Formaldehyde itself has a very ow odour compared to Formaldehyde. So don't over think things.

As an ex Biological Sciences' student, I had to dissect specimens preserved in Formaldehyde, Lith developers have almost no smell in comparison. Here in the UK each medical student was given a cadaver, so they had heavy exposure to Formaldehyde. These days they share them.

So there's a need for realism.

Ian
 

Philippe-Georges

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Would this mask be safe for Pyrocatechin (Pyrocatéchol) too?
 

koraks

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Philippe-Georges said:
Pyrocatechin (Pyrocatéchol)
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This doesn't produce vapors like organic compounds such as formaldehyde.

Pyrocatechol usually comes in the form of flakes that don't produce airborne dust if it's handled somewhat sensibly. If you're concerned about the dust, even a plain mask will help as would handling the dry powder outdoors. However, for the kind of quantities involved in making e.g. a liter of pyrocat or other pyro developers, I wouldn't bother with either.

Materials that come in the form of a fine powder can be more annoying; think of pyrogallol or CD4. They tend to dust up the place if handled in larger quantities (several hundred grams and more), but this is rare/unusual for hobbyist darkroom workers.

Once these developers are in solution it's basically a matter of not getting them onto your skin or into your mouth, nose and eyes. No mask needed. Nitrile gloves are a good idea if you're concerned.
 

DREW WILEY

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Many respirators come with a dual-filtration cartridges : both for particulates and an activated carbon element for organic vapors. And high quality silicone respirators will fit the face much tighter than any ordinary dust mask. However, the replacement filter elements are relatively expensive, so it doesn't make sense to prematurely clog them with unnecessary amounts dust. Handling dry pyro and other darkroom powders shouldn't introduce that problem unless one is very careless.
 

DREW WILEY

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Ian - every Biology student knows about formalin. My wife's anatomy instructor in Med shool died from long term exposure to it. More often, respiratory irritation issues develop due to the cumulative amount of the damn stuff outgassing from formaldehyde based glues in modern wood composite building materials; thus pulmonary sensitization is the greater concern. In other words, many people are already somewhat pre-sensitized, whether they realize it or not.

Just like everything else we handle at the darkroom sink, better safe than sorry. Every alt process darkroom technician should at least have a dual-element respirator on hand, just in case it's needed, plus eye goggles and nitrile gloves, of course.
 

DREW WILEY

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Before modern refrigeration, back in the days of household milk delivery trucks, a couple drops of formalin were routinely added to each bottle of milk to preserve it better. I don't know if undertakers viewed that as competition or not. Now it's all the additives in fast food which impede our decaying. The ancient Egyptians no doubt had their own big golden arches made of sandstone, adjunct to any mummification facilities.
 

Philippe-Georges

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I know what and how Pyrocatéchine is and looks like, I used it for years..

But I asked it because when I mix it up, a penetrating smell of carbolineum spreads out in my dark room. It's as if there are railway sleepers in my dark room.

Carbolineum contains Naftaleen, Antraceen, Fenol and PAK's which are carcinogen.
I am NOT stating that these products are present in Pyrocatéchine, certainly not as I don't know, but I wonder if the smell could be a (minor-) indication? And what is causing these smell/fumes?

Pyrocatéchine is used to produce insecticides and pesticides, which is prohibited in the EU...

PS: I buy it from Sigma-Aldrich.
 

koraks

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Philippe-Georges said:
I am NOT stating that these products are present in Pyrocatéchine
Click to expand...

Indeed, I wouldn't expect them to be. And indeed, there's a carbolic smell to pyrocatechol which likely stems from its chemical nature of a simple aromatic molecule - much like the compounds you mentioned.

Feel free to suit up in a space suit if it makes you feel better. Did you wear a respirator when you took a train back when wooden sleepers were still used? Your exposure to aromatic carbohydrates would likely have been higher in that situation, especially in summer.

How many kilos of pyrocatechol do you handle for how many hours a day? If the answer ends up being "up to a few hundred grams" and "once a month", I really wouldn't bother...
 

Philippe-Georges

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What a reassurance!

And I don't suit up, I simply open the window and wear a covid mask...

And my mother always said that curiosity is not a mistake, that's why I asked...
 
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koraks

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An open window + covid mask sound like perfectly adequate measures to take. I have to admit I do neither when handling small amounts of pyrocatechol. I do take precautions when handling larger amounts of e.g. CD4, which quite badly dusts up the place.

You're of course right about the curiosity. Your mother sounds like she was a wise woman. I'm sure she had a saying or two about common sense, as well. They likely apply here just the same!
 

DREW WILEY

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Railway sleepers were routinely treated with creosote on this continent, which has been banned from any other usage for several decades now due to its carcinogenic and other noxious properties, although it was once available for common usage everywhere. And I for one don't don't appreciate anyone pooh-poohing safety topics they don't have the background to fully appreciate. I would have been dead long ago if I hadn't been "paranoid" about certain chemical categories. If something seems and smells noxious, obey your instincts.
 
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