Paper processor can't seal chemical smell

[czygeorge]

Anyone use metoform paper processor like me?I use it with my color darkroom and get so annoyed as it can't seal the ra4 chemical smell...Is it normal or just my processor has something wrong?

 

[czygeorge]

And by the way kodak ra4 chemical is so smelly...

 

[AgX]

You may change to a low-odor baths kit.

 

[koraks]

@czygeorge I'm sorry to hear the RA4 smell bothers you. I don't think anything's wrong with your processor; all RA4 processors are basically just a tub with a heating element that's open at the top; any lid that goes over it won't make a gas-tight fit. So regardless of how you process RA4 in a home setting, the development bath will always be in direct contact with room air.

I don't know if Kodak RA4 smells more or differently than Fuji, but perhaps you might give that a try. Fuji also isn't odorless, either.

Personally, I don't find the RA4 odors objectionable, but you're certainly not alone. I've come across quite a few people who dislike it and I understand it's also possible to become sensitized to it over time. I'm afraid there's no easy solution for your problem.

 

[AgX]

I don't know if Kodak RA4 smells more or differently than Fuji, but perhaps you might give that a try. Fuji also isn't odorless, either.

The OP might face a different product range offered in China than we in Europe.
Here Fuji offer one series excplicetely stated to be "odour-free".

 

[koraks]

Thanks for the addition; I wasn't aware of the 'odor-free' Fuji product. I've done a quick search and apparently it's this set:

CPRA Digital Pro Developer AC is an odour-free 2-part odour-free developer which features a high activity, clean working, secured whiteness and considerably improved Dmax values on Paper and Display material.​

CPRA Digital Pro Bleach-Fix AC is a 2-part odour-free bleach-fix designed for use in medium and wide format paper processors, has excellent resistance to oxidation in low throughput conditions, and guarantees clean whites.​

​

https://asset.fujifilm.com/www/nl/f...bb377a4bd72a7e6d0bbfa34e/TB_RA4_E01_10-20.pdf (page 6)

The OP might face a different product range offered in China than we in Europe.

The problem is that we in Europe even face a different product range than we do in Europe...by which I mean that Fuji lists all sorts of products that should be available, but in reality aren't for whatever reason. For instance, the CPRA chemistry I can see in a few UK-based web shops and a single source in Germany. Whether they'll actually be delivered upon ordering is another matter.

 

[czygeorge]

Thanks a lot for your really kind and selfless help I'll try to work it out.And you know it's not only about the smell if the ventilation and air-tight is not well the carcinogen in chemical will always be breathed.

 

[BMbikerider]

@czygeorge I'm sorry to hear the RA4 smell bothers you. I don't think anything's wrong with your processor; all RA4 processors are basically just a tub with a heating element that's open at the top; any lid that goes over it won't make a gas-tight fit. So regardless of how you process RA4 in a home setting, the development bath will always be in direct contact with room air.

Personally, I don't find the RA4 odors objectionable, but you're certainly not alone. I've come across quite a few people who dislike it and I understand it's also possible to become sensitized to it over time. I'm afraid there's no easy solution for your problem.

Likewise on both counts. I use a NOVA deeptank processor and after wiping everything down after a session, I also cover the top of my tank with clingfilm mainly to reduce any evaporation if I don't use it again for a few days, but this also cuts down on residual smell.

 

[AgX]

Aside of exchainging the bath-kit the OP might tinker with sealing the lids and paper entry-/exit-slits of his processor.

 

[koraks]

the carcinogen in chemical will always be breathed.

I doubt that the vapors from RA4 developer are carcinogenic. If they were known to be, major paper processing labs would have been in big trouble long ago.
What is possibly (not even sure about that) carcinogenic and certainly toxic (different things!) is the developing agent, CD3, but in a typical RA4 process it's not likely to become airborne, so you're not likely to breathe it in or otherwise get it inside your body. Of course there is still the risk of chemical sensitization, and while this doesn't have much to do with something being carcinogenic, it's of course unpleasant nonetheless.

 

[czygeorge]

I doubt that the vapors from RA4 developer are carcinogenic. If they were known to be, major paper processing labs would have been in big trouble long ago.
What is possibly (not even sure about that) carcinogenic and certainly toxic (different things!) is the developing agent, CD3, but in a typical RA4 process it's not likely to become airborne, so you're not likely to breathe it in or otherwise get it inside your body. Of course there is still the risk of chemical sensitization, and while this doesn't have much to do with something being carcinogenic, it's of course unpleasant nonetheless.

Thanks for solving my confusion .But maybe stuff like Hydroxylamine sulfate you know

 

[koraks]

Hydroxylamine sulfate

That's not a common ingredient in RA4 chemistry. Well, as far as I know, at least. It's been used (or something similar) in experimental formulas, but don't know if it every went in production that way.

It's also not a known carcinogen to the best of my knowledge. Again, it's not particularly nice stuff and skin sensitization is a specific hazard, but especially in a watery solution ad in low concentration it's not particularly hazardous substance as long as decent safety precautions are taken.

 

[AgX]

Basically all organic solids have a vapour pressure. But as this already is very low for developing agents, at processing baths occupational healths concern so far were about the more volatile substances.

Have you any ventilation applied at the room that procressor is located?

 

[czygeorge]

That's not a common ingredient in RA4 chemistry. Well, as far as I know, at least. It's been used (or something similar) in experimental formulas, but don't know if it every went in production that way.

It's also not a known carcinogen to the best of my knowledge. Again, it's not particularly nice stuff and skin sensitization is a specific hazard, but especially in a watery solution ad in low concentration it's not particularly hazardous substance as long as decent safety precautions are taken.

That's a good news for me,thank a lot again

 

[czygeorge]

Basically all organic solids have a vapour pressure. But as this already is very low for developing agents, at processing baths occupational healths concern so far were about the more volatile substances.

Have you any ventilation applied at the room that procressor is located?

Thanks a lot for explaining
I'm trying to build one,what unfortunately is the darkroom was built in the storage room of my home, with a wall about 20 cm thick, and then passed through the study, with an external wall of the same thickness, so a reasonable ventilation scheme is difficult to solve

 

[AgX]

For commercial photolabs a guideline was 8x room-volume air exchange per hour.

We have several threads here on ventilation. Instead of your walls you might rather think of a window pane or a window opening. Also keep in mind that you need both, an outflow and an inflow.

 

[czygeorge]

For commercial photolabs a guideline was 8x room-volume air exchange per hour.

We have several threads here on ventilation. Instead of your walls you might rather think of a window pane or a window opening. Also keep in mind that you need both, an outflow and an inflow.

Okay I am going to watch them,Really thanks for help