Health risks of darkroom chemicals

[mporter012]

In a Steve McCurry interview I was reading, he said, ''we don't have to breath all those chemicals," as an advantage of digital over film. It got me to thinking: are there any known or documented health risks from exposure to the chemicals used in analogue photography? Topically or airborne, ect.

Just curious...

Mark

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Contact dermatitis is the most common of the ailments associated with printing in the darkroom. It's an allergic reaction with the skin, gloves are a good way to prevent it but it can develop anytime. Other stuff can get pretty nasty such as with neurological problems from chemicals absorbed through the skin (amidol) or breathed in (fuming with mercury). Some people are particularly sensitive to strong smells in the darkroom such as from a concentrated stop bath or fixer and cannot stay in there for long. I bet more people with some more knowledge of these health risks can chime in. A good starting point is to look at is the msds that can be googled or included in your chemicals for more info as well.

 

[StoneNYC]

I always wear a breathing mask and heavy gloves as I'm one of the people highly sensitive to it all.

At school they always laughed at me wearing a mask, apron, goves, but better safe than sorry.

The well documented connection between pyro developers and Parkinson's disease if you don't use precautions.

The biggest thing people forget is that if you still chemicals on the floor, they dry, and then the powder residue gets kicked up by your shoes if you don't clean it up and that goes airborne which can be very unhealthy for you. A lot of people forget about that part. It's not just the floors any splashing whatsoever that doesn't get cleaned up will dry cake up and then eventually flake off and become dust in the air.

Don't get scared away, just be smart about it.

 

[mporter012]

I bring this up mainly because I've had some sinus congestion while in the darkroom and some lightheadedness and occasionally a headache. I haven't been all that careful when touching chemicals, so I hope I don't gets brain tumor or something next year.

 

[RattyMouse]

I bring this up mainly because I've had some sinus congestion while in the darkroom and some lightheadedness and occasionally a headache. I haven't been all that careful when touching chemicals, so I hope I don't gets brain tumor or something next year.

Good ventilation is mandatory. Chemical exposure can be very severe if the entry point is inhalation. 6 chemists at BP Amoco contracted fatal brain tumors merely for breathing in cyclohexane, a common laboratory solvent.

 

[MattKing]

Woah:

The "health risks" need to be understood in context.

Hundreds of thousands of people have worked regularly with a wide variety of darkroom chemicals, often for decades, with no adverse health reactions.

The photographic industry has generally (in North America) had a very good record with respect to workplace illness.

For decades many, many schools had darkroom programs, with excellent safety records.

A large percentage of black and white darkroom chemicals are, when used at working strength, quite benign.

Even when concentrated, most black and white darkroom chemicals can be easily handled safely.

None of the common darkroom chemicals should normally be swallowed, but that is the case with many household items.

Of the chemicals I use, only one - selenium toner - is of particular concern if spilled and allowed to dry.

And if I were to use large quantities of sepia toner in a room without adequate ventilation, the small amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas emitted would be bad for me. But if I use the toner with even a modicum of normal care, there is no concern.

Others might end up smelling poorly or, in the case of some of the developers, make one slightly more likely to develop an allergic sensitivity.

There are some unusual processes that require much more care - as an example processes involving mercury - but they are far from typical.

And of course some people are more bothered than others by some of the odors.

 

[mporter012]

Good ventilation is mandatory. Chemical exposure can be very severe if the entry point is inhalation. 6 chemists at BP Amoco contracted fatal brain tumors merely for breathing in cyclohexane, a common laboratory solvent.

That's comforting.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I became seriously ill from breathing black and white printing chemicals, despite having a pretty good ventilation system in my darkroom. I eventually had to give up the darkroom for printing, though I still develop film in daylight tanks. I scan my negs to print. The darkroom was fun, but I don't miss getting sick every time I worked.

 

[mporter012]

So for starters, I develop in my apartment, and have windows and fans, but I'm not sure what constitutes proper ventilation.

 

[winger]

I have more problems from the dust in my basement darkroom than from the chemicals. I'm allergic to more pollens and particles than I can remember, but chemicals haven't bothered me (I worked in a forensics lab fro 14 years, too).
Overall, the less actual contact, the better. If you repeatedly get developer on your skin, you're more likely to develop issues. The average developer, stop, and fix are not highly likely to give someone problems, but everyone's immune system is different. Some of the other chemicals used can be nastier. Mordançage uses glacial acetic acid, concentrated hydrogen peroxide, and cupric chloride - gloves and LOTS of ventilation are called for as a minimum (boy do I wish I still had access to a fume hood - hmm, Christmas list).
Whether or not you can smell something has very little to do with how much of a problem it could be.

 

[StoneNYC]

I bring this up mainly because I've had some sinus congestion while in the darkroom and some lightheadedness and occasionally a headache. I haven't been all that careful when touching chemicals, so I hope I don't gets brain tumor or something next year.

Never a good sign, just get a face mask for chemicals from B&H, it won't totally prevent it, but will reduce your exposure to the chemicals.

It's the toners that might give you a brain tumor. Those I wouldn't use in your apartment, but that's my choice and I'm super extra careful.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

Woah...

Umm... yeah... agree strongly...

Mr. McCurry's comments, and these sorts of fear-inducing threads that they spawn, scare me far more than the common sense use of benign darkroom chemistry that I've engaged in for over 40 years.

Geez. Some of these chemicals you even eat on a regular basis. Did you know that sodium sulfite preserves your potato chips along with your D-76? Or that the vinegar on your salad can be twice the strength of your stop bath? Or for that matter that the dechlorinator used in the public swimming pools you dive into also fixes film and photo papers? And treats the water in which your tropical fish* permanently live?

I realize that there are always exceptions to the rules. And that by nature the exceptions are more likely to speak up. But that doesn't make them any less the exceptions. Or the rules any less the rules.

Sadly, the overwhelming fear of everything by everyone these days has reached such a fever pitch that sometimes when I explain to people that they can't immediately see the photo I just took, that I will instead need to first develop it in an old fashioned chemical darkroom, they look back at me as if I had just told them I was going to be munching on plutonium.



Ken

* Probably the most delicate damned life forms in all of Creation.

 

[summicron1]

That's comforting.

i've been printing in an unventillated darkroom for 40-plus years with no ill effects. The only chemicals I use are dektol and fixer and, when using fiber-based paper, rapid stop.

Your results may vary. Some folks are sensitive, some are not. depends on what triggers your body's immune system. You can avoid contact dermatitis by using print tongs.

But if it does bother you, install a fan, wear gloves, whatever.

 

[mporter012]

Never a good sign, just get a face mask for chemicals from B&H, it won't totally prevent it, but will reduce your exposure to the chemicals.

It's the toners that might give you a brain tumor. Those I wouldn't use in your apartment, but that's my choice and I'm super extra careful.

Yea, I'll be avoiding the toners then. I'm wondering if there is a specific recommendation for home darkroom use on Ilford's website, or elsewhere. I'll have to do some research.

 

[mdarnton]

It's the toners that might give you a brain tumor. Those I wouldn't use in your apartment, but that's my choice and I'm super extra careful.

This is the type of comment that demands an explanation: which toners, from what? Cite your evidence, please.

.....

From what I see in some of the chemistry threads, we live in a world where people have no understanding of chemistry, so they choose to fear everything about it, instead. In fact, let's not limit that to chemistry: people today live in fear of just about everything. Sad.

 

[mporter012]

Umm... yeah... agree strongly...

Mr. McCurry's comments, and these sorts of fear-inducing threads that they spawn, scare me far more than the common sense use of benign darkroom chemistry that I've engaged in for over 40 years.

Geez. Some of these chemicals you even eat on a regular basis. Did you know that sodium sulfite preserves your potato chips along with your D-76? Or that the vinegar on your salad can be twice the strength of your stop bath? Or for that matter that the dechlorinator used in the public swimming pools you dive into also fixes film and photo papers? And treats the water in which your tropical fish* permanently live?

I realize that there are always exceptions to the rules. And that by nature the exceptions are more likely to speak up. But that doesn't make them any less the exceptions. Or the rules any less the rules.

Sadly, the overwhelming fear of everything by everyone these days has reached such a fever pitch that sometimes when I explain to people that they can't immediately see the photo I just took, that I will instead need to first develop it in an old fashioned chemical darkroom, they look back at me as if I had just told them I was going to be munching on plutonium.



Ken

* Probably the most delicate damned life forms in all of Creation.

I'm just looking for information. Considering that people have been using darkrooms for some time now, and continue to, the obvious assumption would be that, with proper precautions, one would be fine. I just don't know. I've had this congestion thing and the occasional headache. That and the McCurry comment got me to thinking...

 

[StoneNYC]

This is the type of comment that demands an explanation: which toners, from what? Cite your evidence, please.

Very fair question. I got this from the head of the photo department, he got one (brain tumor), he was told specifically that it was caused by the selenium toner he was using. He survived, but was very verbal about being ultra cautious when using them because of his experience.

 

[MattKing]

Brain tumours? - Hogwash!

Yea, I'll be avoiding the toners then. I'm wondering if there is a specific recommendation for home darkroom use on Ilford's website, or elsewhere. I'll have to do some research.

I have never used uranium toner, and don't know about any health considerations involved .....

But I do know that there is nothing in the Material Safety Data Sheet for the most common toners (selenium and sepia) that would indicate in any way that they would cause brain tumours. With respect to the Kodak versions, If you read the section of the MSDS that always deals with cancer risks, all the references say something like "No component of this product present at levels greater than or equal to 0.1% is identified as a known or anticipated carcinogen"

The active ingredient in selenium toners is found in anti-dandruff shampoos.

All of these chemicals require reasonable care. In particular, you don't want to:
a) drink or eat them,
b) breathe in any quantity of any powders;
c) breathe in any more than incidental amounts of the vapours, and then only in conjunction with lots of fresh air;
d) allow quantities of some of the liquids to be absorbed through your skin.

For most people, it doesn't hurt to get some of them on your hands, if you rinse them off regularly. But sensitivity is a possibility, so gloves are a good idea.

If you have good ventilation, and you use reasonable procedures, and still find it necessary to wear a breathing mask in a standard black and white darkroom, I would seriously suggest that you stop darkroom work, because you are one of the rare group who is hyper-sensitive to chemicals which do not bother the vast majority of people.

 

[mporter012]

I have never used uranium toner, and don't know about any health considerations involved .....

But I do know that there is nothing in the Material Safety Data Sheet for the most common toners (selenium and sepia) that would indicate in any way that they would cause brain tumours. With respect to the Kodak versions, If you read the section of the MSDS that always deals with cancer risks, all the references say something like "No component of this product present at levels greater than or equal to 0.1% is identified as a known or anticipated carcinogen"

The active ingredient in selenium toners is found in anti-dandruff shampoos.

All of these chemicals require reasonable care. In particular, you don't want to:
a) drink or eat them,
b) breathe in any quantity of any powders;
c) breathe in any more than incidental amounts of the vapours, and then only in conjunction with lots of fresh air;
d) allow quantities of some of the liquids to be absorbed through your skin.

For most people, it doesn't hurt to get some of them on your hands, if you rinse them off regularly. But sensitivity is a possibility, so gloves are a good idea.

If you have good ventilation, and you use reasonable procedures, and still find it necessary to wear a breathing mask in a standard black and white darkroom, I would seriously suggest that you stop darkroom work, because you are one of the rare group who is hyper-sensitive to chemicals which do not bother the vast majority of people.

Ok, so that being said, what constitutes proper ventilation? I'm one of these paranoid people that clean their bathroom with baking soda, to avoid carcinagenic cleaning products, so I'm paranoid!

 

[MattKing]

Ok, so that being said, what constitutes proper ventilation? I'm one of these paranoid people that clean their bathroom with baking soda, to avoid carcinagenic cleaning products, so I'm paranoid!

Okay:

Ilford's website has some materials for you: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/healthandsafety/intro.asp and http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=43

As does Kodak: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/corp/environment/kes/pubs/pdfs/j300.pdf and
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf

As Ilford says in one of those links: "Photographic chemicals are not hazardous when used correctly and when basic rules of common sense are observed."

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is just about as likely to cause you harm as most of the chemicals we use in darkrooms - at least in the concentrations we use.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

In a Steve McCurry interview I was reading, he said, ''we don't have to breath all those chemicals," as an advantage of digital over film. It got me to thinking: are there any known or documented health risks from exposure to the chemicals used in analogue photography? Topically or airborne, ect.

Just curious...

Mark

skin allergies from some developrs is all I rememberbut common sense goes a long way.keep food and drink out of the darkroom and don't store chemicals in food containers!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Okay:

Ilford's website has some materials for you: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/healthandsafety/intro.asp and http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=43

As does Kodak: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/corp/environment/kes/pubs/pdfs/j300.pdf and
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf

As Ilford says in one of those links: "Photographic chemicals are not hazardous when used correctly and when basic rules of common sense are observed."

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is just about as likely to cause you harm as most of the chemicals we use in darkrooms - at least in the concentrations we use.

the trouble with common sense is that it isn't all that common!

 

[bernard_L]

Using any chemical requires common sense precautions: bleach, lye, etc. And some individuals may have specific allergies: pollen, peanuts, etc.; yet no warning has been issued to the general population regarding peanuts. Not a basis for all-encompassing scare warnings.

Case in point: selenium. Heavy metal; Bad!! quote from NIH:
Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection [1].
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/

Detailed assessment by François Leterrier, MD, PhD (sorry, it's in some furrin' language)
http://www.galerie-photo.com/danger-chimie-photo.html
http://www.galerie-photo.com/dangers-chimie-photo.pdf

 

[RattyMouse]

Thread blocked for reason of absurdity.

Safety is absurd? Wow............

 

[Xmas]

They are dangerous take care always use gloves.