Is D76 dangerous?

Fall · Sep 25, 2015

I was mixing some d76 and was pouring in the powered into my funnel, into the container, and thought, I wander if there is any minute powder coming up, and then noticed a small cloud of the contents. I had my head back as I always do when mixing chemicals, but my nose started mildly tingling/ burning, and I don't know if that is psychological or what. I immediately stepped back and slowly poured in the rest and left the room. I found that a fine powder was all on the walls of the funnel. I have mixed d76 before, but can't remember if it always does this or not. I got a little concerned and figured I would ask if it is dangerous, or if I really breathed any of it in. I swabbed my nostrils out with some paper towel and water, and gargled in water for caution. Any input is great.

RobC · Sep 25, 2015

you'll survive. Just don't make a habit of it. Do it outdoors or in a garage or other place with plenty of ventilation and get a face mask if its going to throw up dust. Maybe pour out powder more slowly.

p.s. If you have inhaled it there's not much anyone could do except give you a lung transplant which I wouldn't recommened. So be more careful and treat chemicals with the respect they require.

Gerald C Koch · Sep 25, 2015

Do not mix chemicals in the darkroom where any chemical dust can eventually settle on undeveloped film or paper.

Some people are allergic to one of the developing agents in D-76. Contact with metol can cause a rash for sensitive individuals. When dealing with solid chemicals use a dust mask and wear gloves.

Sirius Glass · Sep 26, 2015

mesantacruz · Sep 26, 2015

+++ for doing it outside. anywhere but indoors. I've also noticed it clouds like that.

Xmas · Sep 26, 2015

There are hazards in mixing it from powder or as a liquid.
If any one in your family is allergic to things:-
Wear safety glasses and powder protection.

If you are not a chemistry major Google each chemical you handle.
Eg Borax was approved as a fed guv insecticide... And used to be available in pharmacies as a wash aid. The latter is now prohibited.

Do not handle any photo chemicals in kitchen.

bdial · Sep 26, 2015

+ another on wearing a mask, simple disposable dust masks are very cheap.
I pour the powder slowly and directly into the water to minimize it getting into the air.

Doremus Scudder · Sep 26, 2015

Don't pour your developer powder into a funnel...

Don't make dust!

Start with a larger container with water in it. Cut a corner of the package. Turn the package upside-down, submerging the cut corner just under the surface of the water and pour the powder into the water that way, stirring as you go. Before you discard the package, rinse it with water (or your solution) to get all the remaining chemicals out.

I do this with just about any packaged powdered chemical. Works great, no dust.

If you insist on making dust, wear a mask and mix your chemicals outside the darkroom!

Best,

Doremus

gzhuang · Sep 26, 2015

Did you use mild warm water?

RalphLambrecht · Sep 26, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
Do not mix chemicals in the darkroom where any chemical dust can eventually settle on undeveloped film or paper.

Some people are allergic to one of the developing agents in D-76. Contact with metol can cause a rash for sensitive individuals. When dealing with solid chemicals use a dust mask and wear gloves.

+2

removed account4 · Sep 26, 2015

pouring into a funnel from a bag into a bucket ?
pour directly from the bag directly into the warm water ... slowly
have the bag a few MM from the water, put a little in, stir, put a little in, stir
until the bag is empty, don't pour it all in at once ..
take your time mixing it
warm water evaporates a little bit into the air
and you will breath it in if your face
is directly above the bucket ...
get a vapor mask + goggles
and gloves and an apron ..

winger · Sep 26, 2015

+1 to Gerald (he's a chemist, listen to him). Have you ever used boxed cake mix? It does the same thing if you dump it in the bowl. That's how powders behave. Funnels are for liquids so they don't splash or if you need to add a filter to get something out of a liquid. There's no reason to use a filter for a powder. And static will make some of the powder stick to the funnel. Cutting just one corner off the package and pouring it carefully will work better than dumping it.

ic-racer · Sep 26, 2015

As with most all things, the amount ingested or inhaled determines the toxicity. Photochemical toxicity is not a know diagnosis for lung transplant.

RobC · Sep 26, 2015

ic-racer said:
As with most all things, the amount ingested or inhaled determines the toxicity. Photochemical toxicity is not a know diagnosis for lung transplant.

Well that would depend how much you inhale. Most people would not be inhaling anything if they are following the rules for handling chemicals so its a non issue for them. But if you are going to consistently break the rules then you put yourself at risk. Don't break the rules. If you don't know what the rules are then you better find out before proceeding. Not you ic-racer, I know you know what the rules are. But some people don't bother to read the instructions and handling rules for working with checmicals. They have only themselves to blame. Photo chemicals aren't foodstuffs and aren't meant to be taken internally but people express surprise when they do it by "accident", accident being a euphamism for not engaging brain and being careless.

markbarendt · Sep 26, 2015

When in doubt grab the MSDS and call your health insurance nurse line or a poison response line or 911.

Reasonable precautions are always worthwhile and asking someone with real medical skills is better than asking us.

... I'll wait ...

Reading the MSDS sheet and understanding the precautions recommended to be taken before starting is always best, even imperative for mixing some developers. "Pyro" type developers pop to mind.

If you haven't read the MSDS sheet yet stop everything you are doing and do it right now.

... I'll wait ...

Ok, so sure sucking up some of that dust wasn't "good" but if you are past the point of contributing fresh DNA to the human genome then the risk you and the world face with that single exposure was probably a lot smaller than the risk you took driving to work yesterday.

cliveh · Sep 26, 2015

Doremus Scudder said:
Don't pour your developer powder into a funnel...

Don't make dust!

Start with a larger container with water in it. Cut a corner of the package. Turn the package upside-down, submerging the cut corner just under the surface of the water and pour the powder into the water that way, stirring as you go. Before you discard the package, rinse it with water (or your solution) to get all the remaining chemicals out.

I do this with just about any packaged powdered chemical. Works great, no dust.

If you insist on making dust, wear a mask and mix your chemicals outside the darkroom!

Best,

Doremus

+1 and I would cut along the entire length of the pack, invert it over the water to try and get as much powder in the water in the shortest possible time, followed by immersing the entire open packet to ensure you dissolve the entire contents. As said by others do this outside and why on earth are you pouring powder down a funnel?

4season · Sep 26, 2015

markbarendt said:
When in doubt grab the MSDS

^^^ This ^^^ It's what the pros do.

Get a copy for yourself at:
http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/About_Kodak_Top/Global_Sustainability/Material_Safety_Data_Sheets.htm
Under the heading SDS in the field named "Product Name / Keyword:" type "D76", click the Search button, and there you go.

Executive summary: Not very toxic but it can be an irritant. No doubt there are some pretty toxic developers out there -- ones containing pyrogallol come to mind -- but you won't encounter those from the likes of Kodak.

removed account4 · Sep 26, 2015

markbarendt said:
When in doubt grab the MSDS and call your health insurance nurse line or a poison response line or 911.

Reasonable precautions are always worthwhile and asking someone with real medical skills is better than asking us.

... I'll wait ...

Reading the MSDS sheet and understanding the precautions recommended to be taken before starting is always best, even imperative for mixing some developers. "Pyro" type developers pop to mind.

If you haven't read the MSDS sheet yet stop everything you are doing and do it right now.

... I'll wait ...

Ok, so sure sucking up some of that dust wasn't "good" but if you are past the point of contributing fresh DNA to the human genome then the risk you and the world face with that single exposure was probably a lot smaller than the risk you took driving to work yesterday.

i'm still freaking out about the hydric acid i came into contact with a while back
my PCP told me to keep an eye on things.

RobC · Sep 26, 2015

is the OP dead yet?

ME Super · Sep 26, 2015

jnanian said:
i'm still freaking out about the hydric acid i came into contact with a while back
my PCP told me to keep an eye on things.

I heard it's possible to drown in a tablespoon of hydronium hydroxide.

Yeah, I'm a smart alec. This is not a new development (pun intended).

Fall · Sep 26, 2015

Geez! I caused a bit of ruckus! I'm alive, I think. I did not reply as I stayed up to about 0530 printing! To anyone who remembered my enlarger thread I believe I have repaired the issue. It is funny yes, but I do actually have experience mixing D76, I just have never thought of a dust cloud before. The funny thing is I have had much chemistry throughout my life for my carriere... Shortly after my post I thought of d76, and realized it is not very dangerous, but of course caution is desired. I will probably mix outside from now on anyway, thanks for all of the replies, that was very kind. I don't think a lung transplant is at the top of treatment for most emergent illnesses, but I'm sure someone on apug would step up to the task for a fellow apuger if it was. I nearly always use my old chemistry goggles, which I would recommend for everyone. I poured the d76 powder into container, like 3.78L/Gallon? Do you know what I mean? I think I covered everyone, I really appreciate the replies, and your kindness shows to create 3 pages just to my health! If anyone has any questions, or anything else to add please do. I'm sure what little d76 I was exposed to measured low to my health compared to all the methylbenzene, etc I've been exposed to for organic solvents.

Thank all!

markbarendt · Sep 26, 2015

jnanian said:
i'm still freaking out about the hydric acid i came into contact with a while back
my PCP told me to keep an eye on things.

It is known as the universal solvent...

markbarendt · Sep 26, 2015

Fall said:
Geez! I caused a bit of ruckus! I'm alive, I think.

Whew, I was worried.

Sirius Glass · Sep 26, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
Down in SC, there's no helmet law. And I see these fat tattooed rednecks riding their loud Harley wearing just a little black beanie or no helmet at all. and some t-shirt and shorts, and some flip-flops or something. I wouldn't be caught on a dadgum motorcycle in anything less that a full body suit made of 1" iron, head to foot. Better yet, I wouldn't be caught on any motorcycle at all.

Someone has to keep the carrion fed.

Two vultures were fly across the US on an airline. They knew that they would not like the airline food so each brought a dead raccoon, a dead possum and a dead skunk as carry on. When they were boarding they were told that they had to leave one of their carry on items behind. It seems that Federal regulations only permit two carrion per passenger.

ic-racer · Sep 26, 2015

As with most all things, the amount ingested or inhaled determines the toxicity. (this is the table that is supposed to show in Post #14 above)

Is D76 dangerous?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency